Falcons’ 2025 rookies dominating, Raheem Morris confirms who has ‘earned a starting spot’

Raheem Morris confirms both Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. will start in 2025

The Falcons made a splash this offseason, getting active in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

They went into it knowing their biggest need was additional pass rush, and attacked it ferociously on the first day of the draft.

GM Terry Fontenot selected Jalon Walker out of Georgia with the 15th overall pick, but they weren’t done there. The Falcons then traded their 2026 first-round pick to move back into the first round in 2025, doubling down on pass rushers with Tennessee Volunteers star James Pearce Jr.

Atlanta then selected two safeties in Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. in the third and fourth rounds respectively, using all but one of their picks in the draft on defense.

With only five picks in play, Atlanta needed to add difference makers immediately, especially if they’re willing to trade future first-round picks while under the impression those would become late-round/playoff team-level picks.

As it turns out, the Falcons may have gone four for four on their rookies, at least it’s looking that way early on.

Both Walker and Pearce Jr. are expected to play starting roles on the edge, and today Coach Morris confirmed that both Watts and Bowman Jr. will also play key roles.

During his press conference, Morris revealed:

“Xavier Watts has earned a spot as a starting safety next to Jessie [Bates], those guys will be out there.”

He was then asked about Billy Bowman, to which he replied:

“Billy Bowman finished with a strong lead, he’ll be the guy who’ll go out there first that you can consider as a starter when we put it out there on the depth chart.”

Morris seems to have a lot of early faith in his rookies, with Watts playing the roaming safety role alongside Jessie Bates, and Bowman occupying the nickel/star spot on the roster.

Xavier Watts incredible nose for the football at Notre Dame

Xavier Watts is a ball-hawking safety who had an incredible couple of years as a starter at Notre Dame.

He can play either free or strong safety, as demonstrated in college, and his 13 picks in two years starting is a testament to his ability to read the game and get to the football in a hurry.

Atlanta finished 31st in sack percentage last season and 20th in interception rate, while giving up the league’s highest completion percentage. Their rookies should immediately help to transform that defense, and help them turn a corner in the 2025 season.