Falcons rookie safety is gaining the reputation as "The next Ed Reed"

The NFL preseason is all about discussing what could be and what might be. The late summer football talking season provides an excellent opportunity to size up the individual members of the next incoming rookie class and consider their ceilings. Everyone is 0-0 right now, so the outlook and mood are often as uplifting as a mid-August day at the beach. We’re all looking at this past spring’s draft to try and find “the next XYZ.”

If you’re a safety, and someone calls you “the next Ed Reed,” it is simply the highest compliment possible. Ed Reed isn’t just a Baltimore Ravens legend among legends. He’s arguably the greatest safety in NFL history, as he was a five-time first-team All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Ravens Ring of Honor member is also recognized on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s, as well as the league’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. So this is a high mountain to ascend for any NFL safety, let alone a rookie.

Xavier Watts, a third-round pick (96th overall) out of Notre Dame by the Atlanta Falcons, has drawn that comparison. That comp came from Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, founder of AUE Performance and one of the trainers who helped Watts prepare for the NFL. In an interview with RG.org, Ume-Ezeoke was asked if there was a definitive moment in which he realized that Watts was ready for the NFL, both mentally and physically.

“You saw it in how he trained — in the weight room, during speed work,” Ume-Ezeoke responded. “He’s a communicator, a leader on the back end. Reminds me of Ed Reed in that sense.

He also added that Watts’ football IQ really impressed him. While yes, you have to consider the source here, as there is naturally a bit of bias, Watts truly has tremendous potential.

A consensus All-American last season, the Minneapolis native helped lead Notre Dame to a College Football Playoff national championship appearance. The previous season, he won the Bronko Nagurski award, which recognizes the best overall defensive player in college football.

As a third-round pick who is ready to provide instant impact, the Falcons secondary has significant work to do. Atlanta was dead last in the NFL in completion percentage allowed (69.9%) and fourth from the bottom in opponent passer rating (100.2).

Of course, an Ed Reed comp can only be validated after a full NFL career of total dominance. For now, maybe the comp should be a current Ravens safety- Kyle Hamilton? After all, Watts succeeded Hamilton in South Bend. In 2021, Watts filled in for Hamilton at strong safety when the future NFL All-Pro went down with a knee injury. Throughout 11 games, Watts had 15 total tackles (11 solo) during his redshirt freshman season.

Hamilton was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Ravens the following spring. Watts learned a lot from Hamilton during their time as Fighting Irish teammates. And that certainly bodes well for Watts as Hamilton is so extremely elite that he’ll soon reset the market for NFL safeties.

However, now is not the time to try to be the next Kyle Hamilton. In 2025, the first goal for Watts should be to be the x-factor that the Falcons need to improve their pass defense this season.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Rookie safety Xavier Watts is drawing Ed Reed comparisons

Falcons rookie safety is gaining the reputation as “The next Ed Reed”

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