Sept. 29, 2026, 7:03 a.m.
ET
Former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round. It was a bit surprising that former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts lasted to the third round of the NFL draft, as the Atlanta Falcons got an absolute steal. After starting his career was a wide receiver, Watts made a smooth transition to safety and took off.
He flashed in 2021 and 2022, but took off in 2023, winning the Bronko Nagurski Award and being named a unanimous first-team All-American. Watts’ final season with Notre Dame in 2024 didn’t see him win any individual awards, but again he was named as an All-American, this time a consensus one. His first season with the Falcons was extremely successful, as 96 total tackles and 5 interceptions. Watts has picked up right where he left off, with 16 tackles and a pick through three games, as he now has the most interceptions in the NFL since he’s entered the league.
It’s absurd that it took two turns through the draft for someone to pick him, but it looks like those teams loss is the Falcons gain. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen
