Xavier Watts
S
#31
Experience: 2 years
Height: 6-0
Age: 24
Weight: 203 lbs
College: Notre Dame
Recent Games
| WK | OPP | RESULT | TKL | AST | COMBINED | SOLO | SCK | SFTY | PDEF | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TDS | FF | OPP FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buccaneers | L 20 - 23 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| 2 | @Vikings | W 22 - 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | @Panthers | L 0 - 30 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 4 | Commanders | W 34 - 27 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Bills | W 24 - 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 7 | @49ers | L 10 - 20 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 8 | Dolphins | L 10 - 34 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 9 | @Patriots | L 23 - 24 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 10 | @Colts | L 25 - 31 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 11 | Panthers | L 27 - 30 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| 12 | @Saints | W 24 - 10 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | @Jets | L 24 - 27 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| 14 | Seahawks | L 9 - 37 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 15 | @Buccaneers | W 29 - 28 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 16 | @Cardinals | W 26 - 19 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 17 | Rams | W 27 - 24 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 16 | 32 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | Saints | W 19 - 17 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Career Stats
Defense Career
| SEASON | TEAM | G | GS | TKL | AST | COMBINED | SOLO | SCK | SFTY | PDEF | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TDS | FF | OPP FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Atlanta Falcons | 17 | 17 | 59 | 37 | 96 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 32 | 6.4 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 17 | 17 | 59 | 37 | 96 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 32 | 6.4 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Biography
CAREER
- Started all 17 games in 2025, notching 92 tackles (58 solo), 11 passes defensed, five interceptions and one fumble recovery, in addition to four tackles on special teams.
- Led all rookies in interceptions with five.
- Recorded his fourth and fifth interceptions of the season in Week 17, becoming the only rookie to record multiple interceptions in a game this season. He is the sixth Falcons rookie all-time, and first since DB Michael Booker in 1997, to record two interceptions in a game.
- Became the first Falcons rookie since Deion Sanders in 1989 to record five interceptions in a season.
- Earned the September NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after his performance through the first four weeks of the season, where he posted 22 tackles (17 solo) and two interceptions, the most among all rookies.
- Reeled in the second interception of his career in Week 4, in addition to five tackles (two solo) and his first career tackle on special teams.
- Became the first Falcons rookie with multiple interceptions in a season since Deion Jones in 2016 (three interceptions), and the first with multiple interceptions through the first four games of a season since 1980 (Kenny Johnson and Al Richardson).
- Finished Week 2 with two tackles (one solo) and one interception, the first of his career (9/14/25).
- Made his NFL debut and first-career start in Week 1 and recorded six tackles and two passes defensed.
HONORS
- PFWA All-NFC Team (2025)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2025)
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (Sept. 2025)
COLLEGE
- Spent four seasons (2021-24) at Notre Dame, totaling 117 tackles (46 solo), 17 passes defensed, 13 interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks in 53 career games.
- Two-time consensus first-team All-American (2023-24), with his 13 interceptions over two seasons the most by any FBS player during that span.
- A 2024 team captain, Watts ranked second in the nation in total interceptions (six), including a 100-yard pick-six. He also totaled 52 tackles (22 solo), 10 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his senior season. Watts was the Sugar Bowl defensive MVP after recording seven tackles (six solo) and one tackle for loss in the 23-10 victory over Georgia.
- Earned first team All-America honors in 2023 and was a Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner and was named Notre Dame's Defensive Player of the Year after appearing in 13 games, recording 30 tackles (eight solo), seven interceptions, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and 0.5 sacks.
- Appeared in 13 games in 2022, totaling 24 tackles (nine solo), three passes defensed and one sack.
- Appeared in 11 games in 2021, totaling 11 tackles (seven solo).
PERSONAL
- Attended Burke HS in Omaha, Neb.
