The Atlanta Falcons have been a constant topic of discussion this offseason, with the majority of news being around Kirk Cousins.
After not making many moves in free agency, they were able to add some quality difference-makers via the NFL draft. The Falcons took a defensive player with their first four picks and look for this unit to take a jump in 2025.
In the third round, Atlanta took safety Xavier Watts out of Notre Dame. The Falcons already have Jessie Bates III over the top, and his spot is locked down. However, the other could be Watts' early in the season.
In March, the Falcons signed safety Jordan Fuller to a one-year, $1.3 million deal. Due to having 55 starts and a Super Bowl under his belt, he could be someone who begins the season as the starter. While he's a veteran option in the backend, he's coming off a down year with the Panthers. In nine games in Carolina, he had 54 total tackles and one pass breakup but zero interceptions.
Fuller missed time due to a hamstring injury, but he wasn't playing well before that. According to PFF, he had a 53.8 overall grade (135th among 171 graded safeties), 68.5 run defense grade (70th among 171 graded safeties), and 47 coverage grade (140th among 171 graded safeties).
There's a reason he didn't get a big deal from Atlanta, and they added two safeties to that room in April.
The Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Buffalo Bills all within the first six weeks of the season. All these teams have electrifying offenses, led by great play calling, outstanding pass catchers, or superstar quarterbacks.
Fuller's inconsistency in coverage could put him in the crosshairs and have Watts quickly take his job after that contest against Buffalo in Week 6.
The 23-year-old is an instinctive defender who has great awareness of route concepts. That allows him to break on a pass to make a play, which was all over his film at Notre Dame. He will also fly downhill to make stops in the run game.
In 55 games (33 starts), Watts had 188 total tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 31 pass deflections, and 13 interceptions.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler gave Watts a second-round grade, and the Falcons were able to snag him at No. 96. That's outstanding value, and he is someone who will take Fuller's job and not look back.