Xavier Watts: Everything you need to know

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.

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 pickoffs, through 16 contests.

Watts posted nine total tackles (five solo) during Thursday's 29-28 win over the Buccaneers. Watts led Atlanta's defense in total tackles, tallying nine or more stops for the third time this season in Thursday's divisional win. The 2025 third-round pick from Notre Dame has had an impressive rookie campaign, recording 79 total tackles and seven passes defensed, including three interceptions, through 14 appearances. He's expected to continue starting alongside Jessie Bates in the Falcons' secondary in the Week 16 matchup against the Cardinals.