The Atlanta Falcons have done everything they can to reshape their defense through the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft as Raheem Morris added three players who will have an impact on this defense, quite possibly as early as day one of their respective rookie seasons.
While it should go without saying that first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., should wreak havoc in opposing offensive backfields, the selection made by Atlanta with the No. 96 overall pick has a better than good chance of being a starter as well, given his impressive resume coming out of college.
After completing a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star safety Xavier Watts was selected by the Falcons and will hope to build on all that he accomplished during his tenure in South Bend. Over the last two seasons, Watts recorded 13 interceptions and accounted for another 13 pass break ups so he made opposing quarterbacks pay for looking his way.
Jordan Fuller Already on Thin Ice After 3rd Round of NFL Draft
As is the case each and every year when it comes time for draft season, the excitement that accompanies an incoming draft class typically outshines the reality that these newcomers are coming for a veteran's job and one player in particular should be ready to be pushed by Watts from the opening day of training camp for his spot on defense. This year, that Falcons defender is veteran safety Jordan Fuller.
After a hamstring injury cut his 2024 campaign with the Carolina Panthers short, Fuller agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million contract so this isn't a scenario where Watts would have to walk in and dethrone an established veteran on a long-term deal. Given the fact that Fuller's production wasn't anything to write home about when he was healthy this past season, there should be little pushback when it comes time to fill out a depth chart and Watts finds his name listed as a starter alongside Jessie Bates III.
Regardless of how this particular position battle ultimately shakes out to start the 2025 campaign, trading up in order to select Watts reiterates the fact that Atlanta seems laser focused on building a defense that will create havoc and cause opposing offenses into committing turnovers.