{"id":797513,"date":"2026-03-07T03:13:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T03:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/797513\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T03:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T03:13:21","slug":"xavier-watts-ranked-among-pffs-top-safeties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/797513\/","title":{"rendered":"Xavier Watts ranked among PFF’s top safeties"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 6, 2026, 2:56 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons<\/a> defense made significant progress last season, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of their 2025 rookie class. Four out of the team’s five draft picks secured starting roles on defense, and two were finalists for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.<\/p>\n

Safety Xavier Watts was arguably the biggest steal of the entire draft class. Despite recording 13 interceptions over his final two seasons at Notre Dame, Watts somehow fell to the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

The Falcons traded up five spots to select Watts with the 96th overall pick, and the rookie had little trouble adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. Watts made 17 starts last season, and his five interceptions tied for the second-most in the league.<\/p>\n

Pro Football Focus<\/a> broke down their 20 highest-graded safeties from the 2025 NFL season. Watts just barely made the cut, coming in at No. 20 on PFF’s list.<\/p>\n

Xavier Watts ranked 20th among safeties by PFF:<\/p>\n

Xavier Watts was the Falcons\u2019 third-round pick in 2025 and a part of an impactful rookie class, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The former Notre Dame safety was a ballhawk in his first season as a pro, picking off five passes \u2014 the second-most among safeties. Watts\u2019 73.1 PFF coverage grade was 19th among all safeties in 2025, and his 74.3 PFF tackling grade was 22nd at the position. He\u2019ll continue to grow into one of the top safeties in football. — Thomas Valentine, PFF<\/a><\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

With defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich set to return in 2026, Watts should only continue to get better, especially playing alongside Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III.<\/p>\n

Much of Ulbrich’s staff is set to return, however, defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg left to take a job as the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator. Aside from putting their coaching staff together, the Falcons have been busy preparing for the start of NFL free agency on March 11.<\/p>\n

The team is expected to release quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge at some point this week. Cousins will be officially released on March 11, but the team has yet to confirm cutting Mooney or Hodge.<\/p>\n

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