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Falcons’ Xavier Watts Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month

By Yakiri Thomas / October 2, 2025

 

Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for September, the league announced Thursday.

Watts has made an immediate impact in his first month as a pro, leading all rookies through four games with two interceptions and 17 solo tackles. He also shares the rookie lead in passes defensed with four.

The Omaha, Neb., native has been a difference-maker in the Falcons’ secondary, becoming the only rookie this season to record multiple interceptions. His first pick sealed Atlanta’s Week 2 victory on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, showcasing his instincts in clutch moments.

Watts’ early production has put him in historic company. He’s the first Falcons rookie with multiple interceptions since linebacker Deion Jones in 2016, and the first Atlanta rookie since 1980—when Kenny Johnson and Al Richardson accomplished the feat—to record multiple interceptions within the first four games of a season.

Watts’ strong start not only anchors a Falcons defense looking to build consistency but also cements him as one of the early standouts of the 2025 rookie class.

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