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Atlanta Falcons News / Yardbarker / July 3
Falcons second-year safety viewed as ready to make another leap
The Atlanta Falcons did not get where they wanted to go last season, falling short of the playoffs for the eighth straight season, but one of their biggest roster wins came from the 2025 NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / March 16
A Pair of Atlanta Falcons to See Big Pay Day
FLOWERY BRANCH – A pair of Atlanta Falcons , including one former player, hit a big payday on Monday. The NFL released its ‘performance-based pay,’ with players receiving an allocation of a $542 million pot, and this collectively bargained benefit compensates players based on their playing time and salary levels.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / February 6
Three Falcons Snubbed Of Seasonal Awards At NFL Honors
The Atlanta Falcons had three players snubbed during Thursday night’s NFL Honors. They had two finalists for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, with edge James Pearce Jr.
The '5+ rushing-TD NFL seasons' quiz
How many of the players to rush for at least five touchdowns in six or more seasons since the AFL/NFL merger (1970) can you name in eight minutes?
Atlanta Falcons News / SportsTalkATL / February 3
Ian Cunningham hints at Falcons acquiring more draft picks
Former Falcons GM Terry Fontenot didn’t leave the cupboard bare in terms of roster talent. In fact, his 2025 draft class was a masterpiece, producing four immediate contributors in Jalon Walker, Billy Bowman, James Pearce Jr., and Xavier Watts — with Pearce and Watts already trending toward becoming All-Pro caliber players.
Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season
A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / January 9
Falcons Safety Named to PFF Rookie Team, Edge Rusher Snubbed
Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its 2025 NFL Rookie Team of the Year, and of the Atlanta Falcons' two deserving rookies, only one made the list: safety Xavier Watts.
Colorado Buffaloes News / Yardbarker / December 30
Falcons' Xavier Watts tying Deion Sanders' record proves he's one of the bigger steals of 2025 NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons should feel fortunate that Watts fell to them in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / December 17
Falcons Rookie Safety Mirroring Success of Teammate Jessie Bates
All offseason, there was talk about the similarities between a pair of Atlanta Falcons defenders, with Watts even mentioning that he models his game after
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / December 16
The Falcons’ Most Important Rookie Might Not Be Who You Think
FLOWERY BRANCH – Xavier Watts wasn’t supposed to matter this much, this quickly, for the Atlanta Falcons . Instead, the Falcons’ third-round rookie has become one of the more productive safeties in the NFL, and a potential foundational piece of Atlanta’s defense.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / October 11
Falcons Jesse Bates Issues Warning to NFL Offenses for Rookie Safety
Atlanta Falcons star safety Jessie Bates is a two-time All-Pro. On Friday, he joked that quarterbacks would be better off throwing the ball his way, as opposed to his counterpart in the secondary, rookie Xavier Watts. “At this point, shoot, they got to stop throwing at X [Xavier Watts], they can start throwing at me,” Bates said.
Atlanta Falcons News / SportsTalkATL / October 2
Bijan Robinson Enters OPOY Conversation While Xavier Watts Earns NFC Honors
The NFL announced their monthly awards on Thursday, and two Atlanta Falcons were recognized. Bijan Robinson has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month, and Xavier Watts is the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month.
25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season
NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.
NFL News / Yardbarker / September 29
'This is just the start': Giants QB Jaxson Dart headlines NFL Week 4 rookie standouts
Adjusting to the NFL can be difficult for rookies, but each season, a few stand out almost immediately. Here are five from Week 4:
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / September 15, 2025
Falcons Rookie Xavier Watts Picks Up Early Career Milestone in Win
The Atlanta Falcons selected Xavier Watts out of Notre Dame 96th overall in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Watts nearly came down with his first interception in his first career start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but came up just a hair short. In his second professional game, under the brightest of lights.
College Football News / Athlon Sports / May 13, 2025
How Rookie Xavier Watts Can Be An X-Factor
The Falcons were desperately needing depth in the secondary and went with Notre Dame star Watts in the third round. Watts had a very successful career with the Fighting Irish that saw him make the national championship game in his final season.
NFL News / Yardbarker / March 23, 2025
NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Eagles' first-round pick at No. 32
These four players have been linked to the Eagles in various mock drafts.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Yardbarker / March 18, 2025
Eagles add 'ball-hawking safety' in latest mock draft
No team allowed fewer yards in 2024 than the Philadelphia Eagles. But after parting ways with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Super Bowl champs could use a good safety.
NFL News / Yardbarker / February 1, 2025
NFL Draft war room: Saints have their highest first-round pick since 2008
The New Orleans Saints (5-12) hold the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and need help at about every position, especially on the offensive line, wide receiver, tight end and edge/defensive line.
College Football News / Yardbarker / January 19, 2025
10 players in CFP national title game who will play in NFL in 2025
Here are 10 prospects from the national championship game who will play in the NFL in 2025.
College Football News / Yardbarker / December 20, 2024
Watch: Notre Dame opens scoring in CFP with incredible 98-yard TD run
The opening game of the 2024 College Football Playoff between Notre Dame and Indiana got off to an electrifying start on Friday night.
College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 19, 2024
Xavier Watts Earns Consensus All-America Honors
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts has officially been named a consensus All-American, which recognizes the brilliant 2024 campaign he has had for the Fighting Irish.
College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 18, 2024
Xavier Watts Earns First Team All-America Honors From Sporting News
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts continues to pile up postseason honors, and the latest is the star from Nebraska earning first team All-America honors from Sporting News. Watts has been named a first team All-American by Sporting News for two straight seasons.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / December 17, 2024
Notre Dame's Xavier Watts Denied Unanimous First Team All-American Honors
Xavier Watts burst onto the scene defensively in 2023, bringing home the Bronco Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player. The wide receiver-turned-safety then brought Notre Dame good news by deciding to return for his final year of eligibility in 2024, instead of entering the NFL draft.
College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 16, 2024
Xavier Watts Earns First Team All-America Honors From The Associated Press
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts continues to pile up the All-America honors, this time earning another first-team honor from the Associated Press. The Fighting
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / The 33rd Team / December 8, 2024
Xavier Watts 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Notre Dame Fighting Irish SAF
Height: 6000 (unofficial) Weight: 203 (unofficial) Year: Redshirt Senior Pro Comparison: Justin Simmons Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts is a ball-hawking defender on the back end who boasts elite ball skills and game-changing playmaking.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / December 6, 2023
Xavier Watts Weighing Future After Winning Nagurski Award
The best defensive player in college football plays for Notre Dame. The Football Writers Association of America said so this week when it awarded Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which annually goes to the nation’s top defensive player.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / December 4, 2023
Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts Wins The Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts was a breakout star for the Irish this season, and he has been awarded for his tremendous season by winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Yardbarker / October 15, 2023
Did Notre Dame safety predict his big game against USC?
Earlier in the week, Watts, who hadn't been playing up to his standards thus far, talked to reporters about being too indecisive and vowed to change that against USC.
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There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.