Xavier Watts: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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When the Atlanta Falcons signed veteran safety Justin Simmons before the 2024 season, it gave All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III the chance to pair with the player he idolized when he entered the NFL in 2018.

NFL News / Last Word On Sports / May 16

Falcons Rookie Emerging as a Surprise DROY Contender

Atlanta has two obvious gems from the NFL draft: Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. However, not enough people talk about what they did after that. The Falcons went out and got several key pieces to round out their defense in the draft, and followed up with undrafted free agents.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / May 13

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.

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Atlanta Falcons snagged an absolute steal in the NFL Draft who's putting in work at rookie minicamp after strong Notre Dame career

Before the 2025 NFL Draft officially kicked off, many believed that former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts had the potential to go inside of the top 50 overall selections.

NFL News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / April 29

Falcons Third-Rounder Ranked Among Best Picks in 2025 NFL Draft

Much of the national conversation around the 2025 NFL Draft for the Atlanta Falcons has been the team's trade back up into the first round. But general manager Terry Fontenot orchestrated two significant trades up the board during the 2025 Draft.

What Can You Expect Out Of Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts With The Atlanta Falcons?

With their 3rd round pick in this year's NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts. What can we expect? The Atlanta Falcons consider Watts a "stud" safety, which is why they traded up to select him with the 96th overall pick in round three.

Falcons Call 3rd-Round Pick Xavier Watts a 'Stud.' His Resume Says They're Right.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot woke up to an abundance of text messages Friday morning. He joked only one -- from defensive back-centric Falcons assistant coach Jerry Gray -- influenced him on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / April 25

Falcons Select Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts With 3rd Round Pick In NFL Draft

With the 96th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons have selected Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. The 2023 Nagurski Award winner (the nation's best defensive player) will bring his talent to the Atlanta Falcons secondary. Watts became the first Notre Dame safety drafted since Kyle Hamilton in 2022.

Falcons Trade Up, Draft Notre Dame S Xavier Watts

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Four hours after Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft began, the Atlanta Falcons made their first selection, trading up five spots to select Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts at No.

Atlanta Falcons Draft Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts

Former Notre Dame star Xavier Watts knows his future home as the Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Watts was selected with the 96th overall pick in the draft.

Falcons obtain No. 96 from Eagles, draft S Xavier Watts

The Eagles used this sector of last year’s draft to hop around the board, acquiring a host of 2025 picks. They are moving one of theirs to the Falcons, who will add No.

College Football News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / April 23

3 Best NFL Team Fits For Xavier Watts in the 2025 NFL Draft

NFL teams will love the leadership, instincts and playmaking ability of Notre Dame star safety Xavier Watts on the back-end of a defense, while banking on the fact his intelligence and work ethnic will push him to improve in run support at the next level.

NFL News / Dolphins Talk / April 21

Phins Phorward: Draft Picks Galore

Phins Phorward Edition #3 Draft Picks Galore Here we go with the latest edition of Phins Phorward. The NFL draft is this week, and in my very first edition, I broke down the importance of drafting on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Baltimore Ravens News / Baltimore Ravens on SI / April 19

Analyst Names Ravens' Perfect NFL Draft Pick

The Baltimore Ravens have several names they could call at the podium when they are on the clock in less than a week's time for the 2025 NFL Draft, and not just in the first round.

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College Football News / Athlon Sports / April 16

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Notre Dame S Xavier Watts

The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we've got you covered with in-depth scouting reports on all of the top prospects at every position in this year's class.

College Football News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / April 11

Evaluators Believe Xavier Watts Could Fall Farther Than Expected in 2025 NFL Draft

The Bengals have a need at safety and former Notre Dame star Xavier Watts could certainly be one of their targets in the 2025 NFL Draft. Watts spent the past three seasons playing for current Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden at Notre Dame.

2025 NFL Draft: What Xavier Watts Would Bring to Jaguars

As one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have mostly kept several of their key starters from last season intact despite a robust free agency and a deep defensive NFL Draft class.

NFL News / Yardbarker / March 23

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.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Yardbarker / March 18

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.

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College Football News / Yardbarker / January 19

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.

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College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 18

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

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.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / The 33rd Team / December 8

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.

College Football News / Last Word On Sports / January 3, 2024

Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts Returning to the Irish

Unanimous All-American safety Xavier Watts has elected to return to the Fighting Irish for the 2024 season. Winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award as the

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 / 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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