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On YouTubeAtlanta 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.
The 'Active 1K-receiving-yard seasons' quiz
Currently, 38 active NFL players have had multiple seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards. How many can you name in five minutes?
Atlanta Falcons News / NFL on ClutchPoints / December 30
Falcons DB Xavier Watts gets real on massive 2 INT performance vs. Rams
On Monday night, Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive back Xavier Watts delivered the best game of his young career, picking off Matthew Stafford twice in a 27–24 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The best passing performances from one NFL playoff run
Rule changes have made passing numbers easier to compile in the modern era, and the game's top quarterbacks have taken full advantage. While the heaviest hitters are represented here, some storied postseasons by slightly lesser-celebrated QBs remain entrenched in playoff annals as well.
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.
Oklahoma Sooners News / Pro Football Rumors / November 22
Falcons place Billy Bowman Jr., Zach Harrison on IR
The Atlanta Falcons will be notably shorthanded on defense for the foreseeable future. Billy Bowman Jr.‘s Achilles injury will leave him sidelined for at least the next four games.
NFL News / Buffalo Bills on SI / October 12
Performance of Falcons' rookie defensive player highlights Bills' latest draft whiff
The Buffalo Bills’ rookie class is off to a rough start this season. And while players around the league whom the Bills had the opportunity to draft are excelling with their respective teams, it’s fair to criticize the direction the Bills took this past spring.
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 / Atlanta Falcons on SI / October 8
Falcons Confident Momentum Alive and Well for Bills Matchup
The Atlanta Falcons bounced back in Week 4 with a resounding 34-27 victory over the Washington Commanders, just one week after suffering a humiliating 30-0 loss.
Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game
For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / October 3
Falcons Safety Named Rookie of the Month
The Atlanta Falcons’ 2025 rookie class was expected to make a major contribution during this season. Through four weeks, the class has already made an impact, and Atlanta’s rookie safety Xavier Watts was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month on Thursday. The Falcons drafted Watts in the third round (96th overall) of the NFL Draft.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
College Football News / Field Level Media / December 31, 2023
Notre Dame All-American S Xavier Watts returning for 2024 season
Notre Dame unanimous All-American safety Xavier Watts has elected to return to the Fighting Irish for the 2024 season. Watts simply said "run it back" on his various social media sites while pitching the video of his announcement.
College Football News / Last Word On Sports / December 10, 2023
Accolades Roll in for Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts enjoyed a breakout season for the Irish. His exploits did not go unnoticed. Named a first team All American by CBS Sports and The Athletic this week, Watts won the Bronko Nagurski Award on Monday.
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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