Xavier Watts

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		17	5	11	96
2025		17	5	11	96

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Falcons struck gold with Xavier Watts' four-year, $6.2M extension, landing what amounts to a steal for a serviceable starter at safety. At just $1.5M annually, Atlanta is paying well below market rate for a player who has established himself as a reliable defensive piece, earning this deal an A CVI grade that reflects exceptional value relative to production. The contract structure heavily favors the team with only $1.1M guaranteed out of the total package, giving the Falcons significant flexibility while locking up a young safety through his prime development years. This type of deal represents exactly what franchises should target — securing known commodities at below-market rates before they potentially break out into higher salary tiers. The Falcons have essentially bought themselves four years of cost-controlled production from a starter-caliber safety, creating tremendous roster-building flexibility while addressing a critical position without breaking the bank.

Performance Analysis

Xavier Watts' C grade with the Falcons is an impressive result for a rookie safety who has quickly established himself as a quality NFL starter. Watts was a ballhawk at Notre Dame, and that playmaking ability has translated immediately to the professional level. His C grade reflects a player who is contributing at an above-average level — creating turnovers, making tackles, and providing reliability in the back end of Atlanta's defense. The Falcons' secondary has been better with Watts patrolling the deep third. His instincts and ball skills are ahead of most rookie safeties. Watts looks like a long-term starter who should continue improving.

Current Sentiment

Xavier Watts has captured the hearts of Falcons fans and earned glowing media coverage that positions him as Atlanta's defensive cornerstone for the future. The overwhelming A+ sentiment stems from his explosive rookie debut — highlighted by that signature two-interception performance — combined with Pro Football Focus recognition and a Defensive Rookie of the Month honor that validated his rapid ascension from draft sleeper to legitimate NFL safety. At just $1.5M annually on his rookie deal, Watts represents everything fans love: an undervalued gem who's dramatically outperforming his modest contract while transforming Atlanta's secondary into a legitimate threat. However, the euphoric public perception significantly outpaces his actual on-field production, which grades out as merely average despite the highlight-reel moments that dominate social media. For the narrative to cool down, Watts would need either a sophomore slump or consistency issues that expose the gap between his splash plays and overall defensive impact. Right now, though, public opinion has him pegged as a franchise-caliber safety in the making, with media and fans alike betting heavily on his upward trajectory rather than questioning whether his rookie success can translate into sustained excellence.