FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Expect to see all four of the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive draft picks play in Week 1.
In fact, safety Xavier Watts and nickel Billy Bowman Jr. were named starters for the Sept. 7 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by head coach Raheem Morris Thursday.
Watts was the Falcons’ third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He spent training camp competing with DeMarcco Hellams and Jordan Fuller for the starting spot opposite Jessie Bates III.
The first indication Watts won the battle was his placement on the Falcons’ initial roster while the veteran Fuller didn’t make the cut. Watts had been listed at No. 2 on every preseason depth chart behind Fuller, who has since signed back with the Falcons.
“Xavier Watts has earned a spot as the starting safety next to Jessie (Bates III),” Morris said. “Those guys will be out there. It’s always about role clarity and role domination, and those guys got the ability to do some of those things in different roles.”
Bowman, meanwhile, was the Falcons’ fourth-round selection. His main competition during training camp was Dee Alford, who has been a starter at various points the last two seasons. Both made the initial roster, but clearly a decision was made because the order of the preseason depth chart at this position also flipped.
“Billy Bowman finished with a strong lead there obviously,” Morris said. “He’ll be the guy to go out there first.”
Both of the Falcons’ first-round picks, edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., are more than likely going to play major roles next Sunday, too. Given the amount of rotation the defense features for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s attack-style front, though, it’s too difficult to necessarily name starters.
While Pearce was active throughout the preseason and training camp, Walker was held out of internal and external competition multiple times out of precaution for hamstring and groin injuries.
“Jalon Walker is doing great,” Morris said. “He’s had a couple really good days of practice. Obviously held him from that last preseason game to get him ready for this moment, for this game, for this part of the season. So, I’m really excited to see him go.”
The game status for the Falcons’ seventh-round pick, offensive lineman Jack Nelson, remains unknown. However, recent injuries sustained at offensive tackle may provide Nelson with an opportunity early on. Starting right tackle Kaleb McGary is out for the season with a leg injury, and backup swing tackle Storm Norton is on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Morris said Nelson, Elijah Wilkinson and Brandon Parker (practice squad) are among the current players being evaluated for the void left behind by those injuries.
Regardless of what happens at right tackle, a majority of the Falcons’ 2025 NFL Draft class is ready make its debut.
