When the Atlanta Falcons moved up in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select safety Xavier Watts with the No. 96 pick, they expressed confidence in his abilities and fit for their defense.
“Watts is one of those guys that you’ve seen him make plays and do things at all three levels, which makes it a cleaner eval as opposed to some guys are box guys and we’re sitting there in an interchangeable safety role, but you’re really projecting how is he going to be in the post?” said Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith after the draft. “… So, Xavier was a clean eval that way of seeing him do exactly what you envision him doing for us.”
Watts has started to see time with Atlanta’s first-team defense during training camp. He missed the sixth open practice on Friday after leaving early from the previous session. The Falcons’ safety group includes veteran Jordan Fuller, who joined this offseason and previously worked with head coach Raheem Morris during their tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, where they won a Super Bowl. DeMarcco Hellams has also returned to camp after missing last season due to injury.
Jessie Bates III remains established at one safety position. The environment provides competition for Watts but also gives him opportunities to show his strengths.
“Watts is an adult. That’s the easiest way for me to put it,” said head coach Raheem Morris. “He is serious. There’s not a lot funny to him. He’s very conscientious. He’s got pro-like skill sets. He also gets some first-team reps. He’s able to mix it up with the second team. He’s able to be a leader that way.”
A two-time All-American at Notre Dame and former team captain during their national championship game run last year, Watts had 13 interceptions over his final two college seasons.
The Falcons value intelligence among their safeties due to their interchangeable roles on defense. Bates is considered one of the league’s most perceptive defenders and supports those playing alongside him.
“X and I are very similar,” Bates said. “He’s kind of reserved, kind of calm. You can’t really get him out of his shell too much. That’s good. As a safety, you’ve got to be poised. You’ve got to be calm. You’ve got to be able to communicate when things get crazy. And I never see him panic or anything like that.”
Watts joins other rookies expected by Atlanta’s staff to contribute on defense this season, including first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., as well as fourth-rounder Billy Bowman Jr., all candidates for starting roles depending on preseason performance.
Among teammates, Watts has picked up nicknames such as “X factor” from fellow rookies and “X-man” from Bates.
“When you can go get the ball, you’re X factor,” Bates said. “He can embrace that all he wants to as long as he touches that ball. I call him X-man.”
Bates has been central in creating turnovers since joining Atlanta in 2023; last season he was the only NFL player with four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Head coach Morris compared Watts’ early demeanor favorably with Bates’ rookie year: “It’s almost like I don’t even want to mess up his flow,” Morris said.”I just kind of go with him and hit him with a couple things.I almost treat him not on a Jessie Bates level,but very close,very similar,probably what a Jessie Bates probably was as a rookie.When you talk about a serious-demeanor guy that’s got the ability to be able to play early.”
Bates started every game for Cincinnati Bengals as a second-round pick in 2018; he recorded three interceptions (one returned for touchdown) along with seven pass defenses.
There are no set statistical targets for Watts this season yet coaches note his impact so far in camp.As preseason continues,the Falcons will look for both Watts and Bates—two versatile safeties—to anchor their secondary heading into fall.
