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Ryan Clark calls Falcons third-round pick 'future Pro Bowler'
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- Ryan Clark calls Falcons third-round pick 'future Pro Bowler'
Ryan Clark has high expectations for Falcons third-round selection Xavier Watts . The former Notre Dame safety is, in his eyes, is a future Pro Bowler.
In a post he made to "X" after the selection, Clark stated that Watts "has future pro bowler written all over him" and that there was "no safety like him in the 2025 NFL draft. If that holds true, the Falcons could see an instant upgrade within the secondary.
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Falcons area scout Ryan Doyal certainly sees the potential for Watts to do just that. There's a reason why the team sent its No. 101 pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia to acquire Watts at No. 96 overall.
"Xavier is an impact player because he takes the ball away," he said in an interview with AtlantaFalcons.com. "When you're in the teens for interceptions in your career and you're a two-year starter? And you're in the teens? You've turned the ball over quite a bit. You want to talk about making an impact? Turnovers make an impact.
"Every team is always looking for turnovers. You look at the statistics, you are winning games based off of these turnovers. So, impactful? Yeah. Absolutely. Every day of the week."
Watts finished out the final season of his college career with 83 combined tackles (53 solo) and 30 assists. He also had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, as well as six interceptions and one touchdown.
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In the full time he spent at Notre Dame, Watts tallied 188 combined tackles (117 solo), 1.5 sacks, 13 interceptions, 18 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over 55 games.
Now, he'll look to translate that talent over to Atlanta as he takes his career to the next level.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Ryan Clark says Falcons third-round pick 'future Pro Bowler'
