The Atlanta Falcons had Day 1 of OTAs start on Tuesday and will have multiple practices run until June 5.
The Falcons have a nice foundation on the roster and used this offseason to bolster the defensive side of the ball. Four of their five picks in the 2025 NFL draft were all on defense.
Even though they've only been around for about a month, head coach Raheem Morris is already raving about third-round pick Xavier Watts.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Morris compared Watts' mindset to his teammate Jessie Bates III.
Morris stated, "His mindset is very similar to Jessie. ... What better example for Watts to have than to be able to look at a guy like that and how he prepares and how he studies and how he's actually able to go apply it in the grass."
Raheem Morris Gives Xavier Watts a Glowing Compliment
This is an interesting development going into OTAs. Falcons team reporter Terrin Waack was present at Tuesday's practice, and she revealed that the starting safety spot across from Bates III is up for grabs.
Waack wrote, "Bates holds one of the Falcons' starting safety spots, but there figures to be competition for his running mate.
Watts was drafted with the 96th overall pick and is someone who can get significant playing time this season. He comes into the league as an instinctive defender and will play with toughness against both the run and pass.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote in his draft guide that Watts has "terrific route instincts and sees things before they happen to jump throwing lanes."
In 55 collegiate games (33 starts), he had 188 total tackles, 31 pass deflections, and 13 interceptions.
He'll have the chance to compete for the other starting spot this summer. Jordan Fuller and Kevin King were seen taking the reps across from Bates III in Tuesday's practice, but Watts is already off to a good start and got some praise from his coach.