Much of the focus this offseason has been on the Falcons‘ selection of two first-round edge rushers. But, even though he “feels like the forgotten man,” Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson believes that rookie safety Xavier Watts will generate major buzz during training camp.
Falcons Rookie ‘Too Talented Not to Have an Impact’ in 2025
The Falcons defense saved their worst for last in 2024. During their Week 18 loss against Carolina, Atlanta surrendered the most points (44) and third-most yards (425) of the season.
While Bryce Young bounced back nicely after being benched, he absolutely carved up the Falcons defense. Young recorded his highest completion percentage (73.5%), third-most yards (251) and most touchdown passes (3) of the season.
“The Falcons couldn’t pressure the quarterback, and he took full advantage for the best game of his career, accounting for five total touchdowns and over 250 yards passing,” wrote Parson.
That left a sour taste in their mouth during another losing season, and another season where they couldn’t generate pressure. Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. receive the most coverage, so “Xavier Watts feels like the forgotten man,” Parson wrote.
Parson praised Watts’ instincts and coverage disguises, calling him “a good bait-and-take defender, fooling quarterbacks into risky throwing lanes.” Despite some competition for snaps, Parson calls Watts “too talented not to have an impact in the developing Falcons’ defense.”
Given their lack of a pass rush recently, the Falcons will need to generate more pressure in 2025. If Walker and Pearce Jr. hold up their end of the bargain, that will take some pressure off of the secondary.
Watts Named to 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team Last Month
Last month, Watts earned a spot on the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team. He slotted in as the second safety alongside Ravens first-rounder Malaki Starks. While preseason accolades only mean so much, especially for rookies, Watts is the only defender drafted in the third round or later to make the list.
While Jessie Bates III has anchored the Falcons secondary since 2023, he’s been one of the lone bright spots. However, the rest of the Falcons defense has not held up their end of the bargain.
Gennaro Filice, NFL Deputy Editor of Written Content, called Atlanta’s defense “an annual disappointment” since their last playoff appearance (2017). “But over the past couple seasons, the unit has rostered one undeniable star in Jessie Bates III,” wrote Filice.
But, with the addition of Watts, the Falcons should be able to play more effective coverage on the backend. Despite starting his career as a wide receiver, Watts finished with 13 interceptions over his final 2 seasons. He earned back-to-back consensus All-American selections in 2023 and 2024.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris shared some strong praise for Watts after the first day of OTAs back in May. He even compared the rookie to teammate Jessie Bates III, who earned a Pro Bowl nod and a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2023.
“He’s coming in with such a serious demeanor and a mindset, playing in a pro-style defense at Notre Dame and being able to do some of those different things and, like, his mindset is very similar to Jessie,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said last month. “What better example for Watts to have than to be able to look at a guy like that and how he prepares and how he studies and how he’s actually able to go apply it in the grass, right?”
Falcons’ ‘Forgotten Man’ Ready to Break out during Training Camp