FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Three of the Atlanta Falcons' draft picks signed their rookie contracts Friday_, the organization announced.

Safety Xavier Watts, defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. and offensive tackle Jack Nelson each put pen to paper as the 2025 first-year class arrived at the Flowery Branch practice facility in preparation for its three-day rookie minicamp that begins Friday.

That leaves edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. left to officially sign their deals.

Learn more about Watts, Bowman and Nelson below.

XAVIER WATTS | Round 3, Pick 96

Watts' rookie deal is estimated to be $6.19 million in total value, according to OverTheCap.com. He would carry a cap number of $1.12 million in 2025 before topping out in 2028 at $1.97 million.

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 205 lbs

Age: 23

School: University of Notre Dame

2024 Stats: 16 starts | 82 tackles (3.5 for loss) | 10 passes defended (6 interceptions) | 1 forced fumble

• Click to view complete college stats

Quotes

General manager Terry Fontenot: "We all like him. Start with the makeup, I mean, outstanding character, serious worker, competitor, high-end instincts, former receiver, ball hawk, more picks than anybody in college ball last two years. So, this guy's a stud, versatile, all those things. So, we're very excited."

Head coach Raheem Morris: "He's very instinctual like Jessie Bates. He's not afraid to take those shots and take those chances when necessary. Definitely see the ball off light and come out the quarterback's hands and do some of those things really well. So, we have all those things and that's really about it. Really ball skills and ball awareness is what you kind of talk about. This guy has both ball skills and ball awareness, and I think they're at a really high level."

Watts: "I've had 13 interceptions in the past two years, and it's not by coincidence. I mean, I have a really good feeling for the game of football, and I'm able to get the ball."

BILLY BOWMAN JR. | Round 4, Pick 118

Bowman's rookie deal is estimated to be $5.19 million in total value, according to OverTheCap.com. He would carry a cap number of $1.09 million in 2025 before topping out in 2028 at $1.48 million.

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 192 lbs

Age: 22

School: University of Oklahoma

2024 Stats: 12 starts | 54 tackles (2.5 for loss) | 2 interceptions

• Click to view complete college stats

Fontenot: "If you don't enjoy watching him play, then you just don't like football. He flies around tough, smart, extremely athletic, really versatile. ... Takes the ball away at a high rate, not just in terms of interceptions and anticipating and taking away, but he's got ball awareness."

Morris: "Just the position flex. The ability to play a little nickel, play a little star position, the ability to pop back and play a little safety, potentially some dime. Really appreciate the toughness, the guy. Really appreciate the energy he plays with. The uncommon running hit to the ball. You love that."

Bowman: "I can be another source of creating turnovers. I feel like I'm very versatile. I feel like I can come down, I can play the run game. I can definitely play the pass game."

JACK NELSON | Round 7, Pick 218

Nelson's rookie deal is estimated to be $4.35 million in total value, according to OverTheCap.com. He would carry a cap number of $878,154 in 2025 before topping out in 2028 at $1.27 million.

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 318 lbs

Age: 23

School: University of Wisconsin

2024 Stats: All 12 starts at left tackle | All-Big Ten honorable mentions 2021-22 and 2024

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Fontenot: "Wanted to add some youth to the offensive line room. A four-year starter at Wisconsin. Big man, all the intangibles. He's played all over that line, so very excited about adding him in the seventh round."

Morris: "You're talking about a guy that potentially fits in playing your left tackle, and you just got to visualize some of the athleticism that he can play on the right side as well. You've got to have the ability to slide down the guard because he obviously did it in college. But you like the trait, you like the cover, your ability when you pass pro."

Nelson: "Regardless of whatever kind of offense or OC we've got, I'm going to be an explosive, twitchy and aggressive player. I think I play with kind of a recklessness that translates to a physical type of play when I connect and really get into the groove."