When the Atlanta Falcons entered the 2025 NFL Draft, their leadership was focused on strengthening the defense. After selecting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round, they used their third-round pick, No. 96 overall, to select safety Xavier Watts.
Watts had been projected as a second-round pick by many analysts but remained available into the third round. The Falcons capitalized on this opportunity, and Watts’ performance this season has validated their decision.
Voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games is now open, with Watts making a strong case for selection. He is one of only seven players across the league to record at least 75 tackles and three or more interceptions so far this season. Among NFC players, he is one of four to reach these marks. His 75 tackles lead all NFC rookies.
Additionally, Watts leads all NFL rookies in interceptions with three.
His standout performance came during his debut in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite not recording an interception until Week 2 in Minnesota, Watts made six tackles and defended two passes in his first game. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich commented on Watts’ approach after he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September: “The beauty of X — and I’m getting to know him as we go here — he just feels like a guy that will never be satisfied,” Ulbrich said. “He’s just going to keep pushing to get better. Guys have a little success early on. Sometimes that’s dangerous. They kick their feet up and they believe, ‘I got it.’ And I don’t feel that from him at all.”
Falcons safety Jessie Bates also praised Watts’ performance: “I think if you look at the body of work that he’s put out there this year, I think he’s one of the best in the league. I think that Pro Bowl voting, it kind of comes with your winning record. You got to be able to be winning, but I think if you turn on the tape and watch X play, you’ll understand why he’s one of the top safeties in this league. And even if it’s not this year, I can see X being a Pro Bowl player moving forward.”
Fans can vote for players for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games through AtlantaFalcons.com or NFL.com as well as on X using #ProBowlVote along with the player’s name. Voting ends at midnight on December 15; votes cast via X during December 14-15 will count double toward a player’s total.
