Watts posted 96 total tackles (59 solo) and 11 passes defensed, including five interceptions, across 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Watts, a 2025 third-round pick from Florida State, made an instant impact in Atlanta, tying for the second-most interceptions in the NFL while ranking third on the team in total tackles and passes defensed. His best game of the season came in the Week 17 upset win over the Rams, when he recorded five total tackles and picked off MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford twice. Entering his second NFL season, Watts could continue to emerge as one of the league's premier ball hawks in 2026.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Comes up huge in Week 17 win
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Watts registered five tackles (four solo) and three defensed passes, including two interceptions, in Monday's 27-24 victory versus the Rams.
Watts twice got the better of MVP candidate Matthew Stafford in Atlanta's upset win. Late in the second quarter, Watts grabbed a deep pass intended for Xavier Smith at the Falcons' seven-yard line. One play later, Bijan Robinson reached the end zone on a 93-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, Watts picked off Stafford again, this time gathering the ball at Atlanta's 25-yard line and returning it 32 yards to the Rams' 43. Monday marked the first multi-interception game of Watts' career and added to a fine rookie campaign during which the Notre Dame product has posted 89 tackles and 10 defensed passes, including five picks, through 16 contests.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Picks off pass in Week 12 win
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Watts finished Sunday's 24-10 victory versus New Orleans with six tackles (five solo) and an interception.
Watts briefly exited due to an apparent injury early in the fourth quarter but was able to return in short order. The rookie safety then put a ribbon on the victory with an interception in the final seconds of the contest. Watts is up to three pickoffs on the campaign, tops among NFL rookies.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Appears to be past illness
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Watts (illness) fully participated in practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Watts didn't practice Wednesday while recovering from an illness. His return to full participation Thursday suggests he'll be good to go for Sunday's game against New Orleans. Watts has played every defensive snap for Atlanta since Week 6.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Missing practice with illness
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Watts (illness) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Watts is coming off a forgettable game in Week 11 versus the Panthers, and now his availability for Week 12 is in doubt because of an unspecified ailment. He'll have two more chances to practice before Atlanta publishes its last practice report of the week Friday.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Solid outing in loss
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Watts recorded four tackles (two solo) in Atlanta's loss versus the Dolphins on Sunday.
Watts had a solid outing, while playing every defensive snap for the Falcons during the blowout loss. The 23-year-old has gotten off to a strong start during his rookie season, racking up 41 tackles (25 solo) and two interceptions across his first seven games.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Cleared to play Week 6
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Watts (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Monday's game against the Bills, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Watts popped up on Friday's practice report due to an ankle injury, but the injury doesn't appear to be severe, as he was able to practice without restriction Saturday. The rookie third-rounder has 23 tackles (17 solo) and four pass defenses (including two interceptions) through the first four regular-season games of his NFL career.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Snags interception in win
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Watts recorded six total tackles (two solo) and an interception in Sunday's 34-27 win over Washington.
Watts was able to jump in front of a pass from Marcus Mariota in the third quarter, snagging his second interception of the year. The safety has now registered at least six tackles in three of four games to open the season, and he'll carry some momentum into Atlanta's upcoming bye week.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Logs nine tackles in Week 3 loss
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Watts finished Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Panthers with nine tackles (eight solo).
Although the Falcons' defense struggled in Sunday's loss, Watts was everywhere on the field and tied Kaden Elliss for most tackles on the team. The rookie third-rounder has started the season with 17 tackles (15 solo) and three pass defenses (one interception) in three games.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Posts first career INT
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Watts recorded two tackles (one solo) and an interception during Sunday's 22-6 win over the Vikings.
Watts didn't test well at the NFL Combine, but his instincts were lauded after a decorated career at Notre Dame, which included two All-American honors. Those instincts were on full display during training camp, as the rookie third-round pick carved out a starting role. Watts hasn't slowed down to start his NFL career, recording three pass deflections in two games, including his first career interception during primetime. The Falcons' defense looks to be significantly improved in 2025, thanks to surprise performances from starting rookies like Watts, Jalon Walker, James Pearce, and Billy Bowman.
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Falcons' Xavier Watts: Lands with Atlanta
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The Falcons selected Watts in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 96th overall.
Watts is a smart, instinctive safety who had one of the most decorated careers in Notre Dame history. Those will have to be his carrying traits in the NFL as he grades as a below-average athlete by the league's standards. Being a two-time All-American despite not being overly toolsy speaks to Watt's knowledge of the game and ability to put himself in the right spot at the right time. In time, he could start at safety alongside Jessie Bates in Atlanta.
