The Atlanta Falcons were one of the busier teams in the 2025 NFL Draft with trades, notably moving up 20 spots back into the first round for edge rusher James Pearce Jr. In that deal, they got back pick 101 in 2025.
That wasn’t their only major trade-up in the draft, though, as Atlanta also moved up in the third round to select safety Xavier Watts, which ended up being one of their best picks of the draft.
Those moves cost Atlanta some key 2026 draft capital, as the Falcons are without their own first, fourth, fifth, and sixth-round picks in this draft, while having only five total picks overall.
With the 2026 NFL Draft here, let’s revisit last year’s draft day trades that got the Falcons their coveted safety.
Atlanta Falcons receive: 2025 third-round pick (No. 96 overall)
Philadelphia Eagles receive: 2025 third-round pick (No. 101 overall), 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 153 overall)
The Falcons made the trade up to 96 for Xavier Watts. Watts was a huge hit for the Falcons, becoming one of the top rookies in the class, as he was named fourth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Starting all 17 games, Watts had 96 tackles, 11 pass breakups, five interceptions, and a fumble recovery, according to Pro Football Reference.
Philadelphia traded back one more time at No. 101 to acquire additional draft capital. They sent the Nos. 101 and 134 picks to the Denver Broncos for Nos. 111, 130, and 191.
The picked DT Ty Robinson at 111 and OT Myles Hinton at 191. They traded traded 130 for 145 and 207. At 145 they selection CB Mac McWilliams and at 207, OT Cameron Williams.
The 2026 draft pick was sent to the Green Bay Packers as part of the trade package for Dontayvion Wicks. That wraps up the trade.
Watts was a huge hit, and the Falcons did a good job securing their target by offloading a future fifth-round pick.
The cost wasn’t high to make the move, although the Falcons will now be quite capital-deprived in the 2026 NFL Draft following their moves last offseason.
Overall, though, I don’t think the Falcons are regretting the loss of a fifth-rounder when it comes to acquiring Watts.