FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. used to be the players they now wreak havoc on.

Wide receivers.

Watts joined the University of Notre Dame as a wideout in 2020 and moved to the defense in 2021. Bowman signed at the University of Oklahoma as a defensive back and wide receiver in 2021 but nixed the offensive role once he arrived on campus.

Though the Falcons have deemed Watts a safety and Bowman a nickel since drafting them in third and fourth rounds, respectively, coaches from all areas of work have recognized their double-agent experience as a positive.

"Well, it's cool, being able to see the game from the other side and understand how one side is trying to attack the other," Falcons wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard said. "I t

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