FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, the league announced Wednesday.

This accolade comes amid the Falcons' Week 5 bye. The team is 2-2.

Atlanta selected Watts with the No. 96 overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was named the starter opposite veteran Jessie Bates III before Week 1. Since then, he has proven to be a ball hawk in the secondary, grabbing two picks already.

Watts is one of just 13 players in the NFL with more than one interception. Only two players have more than him — Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd — and both of them are veterans. Watts is the only rookie in the league with more than one interception.

In fact, Watts is the first

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