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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.
The 'Active 140-yard, two TD catch games' quiz
How many of the active NFL players to rack up at least 140 receiving yards and catch two touchdowns in one game can you name in six minutes?
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.
32 notable NFL QBs who were acquired well into the season
It's uncommon, but not unheard of, for notable QBs to change teams -- via trade, free agency, or waiver claim -- at the 11th hour or during a season. Here are the top instances of QBs relocating late and making an impact that season.
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:
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / September 15
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.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / September 13
Youth is Served as Atlanta Falcons Rookies Shine Early
The Atlanta Falcons started two rookies in their secondary in their first game of the season, a 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Safety Xavier Watts,
The 25 greatest players in Notre Dame football history
Trying to narrow down the 25 best players in the history of Notre Dame's storied football program is no easy task. However, we gave it a go. Listed in chronological order.
2026 first-round NFL mock draft: Three QBs in the top 10
With the month of September in the books, both the top college prospects and 2026 NFL draft order are coming into focus. Here's a look at our latest first-round NFL mock draft as of October 13, 2025.
College Football News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / August 16
Former Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts Shines With More Playing Time in Second Preseason Game
Former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts didn't play a lot in the Falcons preseason opener last week against the Detroit Lions, and he still didn't play a ton on Friday in Atlanta's second preseason game against Tennessee.
NFL News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / August 13
Rookie Pushing for Starting Role in Falcons' Secondary
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga – A few days after returning from a minor ailment, rookie safety Xavier Watts was back in the thick of one of the Atlanta Falcons’ most
Atlanta Falcons Rookie Xavier Watts Receives Highest Compliment from Raheem Morris
The Atlanta Falcons invested heavily in the defense in their last two NFL Drafts, particularly in 2025 with two first-round picks being used on edge rushers.
NFC Notes: Chris Olave, Xavier Watts, Falcons, Panthers, Saints
Falcons area coach Ryan Doyle said third-round S Xavier Watts is one of the most cerebral players he’s ever scouted at the position. “X is one of the smartest players I have ever watched at safety,” Doyal said, via the team’s website.
Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / June 19
Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick Makes NFL.com's All-Rookie Team
Truly great NFL safety combos only come around every so often, but when they do emerge on the rare occasion, a defense can often dominate. At least in superstar Jessie Bates III, the Atlanta Falcons already have one half of the duo.
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
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
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.
College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 16
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
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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