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Falcons rookie is flying under the radar after dazzling Week 1 performance

Related Topics: Jeff Ulbrich, Kyle Hamilton

The Falcons’ defense took center stage in Week 1, and rookie safety Xavier Watts was at the heart of it.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Atlanta Falcons | Kevin C. Cox/GettyImages

Making his NFL debut against the Buccaneers, Xavier Watts, the former Notre Dame standout, showcased exactly why Atlanta invested in his hybrid skill set in the third-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

While the stat line or final score may not fully capture the impact he made, Watts’ alignment versatility, instincts, and relentless football IQ jumped off the screen.