Third round (96th overall): Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Age: 23. Height: 6-0. Weight: 204 pounds. Arms: 31¼ inches. Hands: 8⅝ inches. Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska.
Overview: A hard hitter who embodied Notre Dame’s ferocious defense, it’s easy to see how teams could fall in love with Watts. He had six interceptions in 2024 and led one of the nation’s top defenses. He has an excellent football IQ and usually puts himself in the right position. He looks comfortable playing the position. He was the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner in 2023, which is awarded to the nation’s top defensive player. Watts is tied for third on the Notre Dame history all-time list with 13 career interceptions, the most by any FBS player over the past two seasons (2023-24).
Profootball Network’s Ian Cummings: “The Falcons had a rough Round 1 in the 2025 NFL draft, but they made up for it with their move to select Xavier Watts at the tail end of Round 3. Watts was a top-50 prospect on my board. With 13 interceptions over the past two seasons, he’s in a tier of his own as a playmaker, but those ball skills mask an incredibly complete profile beneath.
“Watts has a strong and compact build, and that build holds up well in run support, where he’s able to respond downhill, attack blocks, and make tackles. In coverage, however, he’s just as proficient, with smooth pedal mobility, elite processing speed, and a type of range that’s insulated by his rare instincts. He’s a perfect complement alongside Jessie Bates III on the back end for Atlanta.”
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