ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Falcons selected safety Xavier Watts from Notre Dame in the third round (No. 96 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Falcons have been quite involved in the trading game thus far, striking another deal, this time with the Philadelphia Eagles late in the third round on Friday to draft Watts. The Eagles acquired Atlanta’s third round pick before flipping it to Denver and acquired the Falcons’ 2026 fifth round pick as well.
Watts was a two-time All-American, recording 188 combined tackles and 13 interceptions in 55 games with the Fighting Irish.
Atlanta drafted UGA linebacker Jalon Walker with the No. 15 overall pick and Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 overall pick acquired from the Los Angeles Rams. The team did not have a second-round selection.
The Falcons sent the Rams their 2026 first-round pick as well as second-round -- the team selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson with this pick -- and seventh-round (No. 242) selections in this year’s draft.
Here are the remaining picks for the Falcons:
- Round 4, Pick 118
- Round 7, Pick 218
- Round 7, Pick 242
Rounds 4-7 are on Saturday, beginning at noon.
