Billy Bowman and Xavier Watts were playmaking machines in college, blending instincts and ability seamlessly when their teams needed it most. Now, the 2025 Atlanta Falcons are hoping the two rookies can provide the same spark, as they are set to start Week 1.
This is quite the departure from the attitude held towards last year’s rookie class. None of the rookies started Week 1, and Michael Penix
Jr. was the only one to start a game that year. The fear of putting too much on a young player’s shoulders is legitimate. However, confidence isn’t something that can only be killed; it can grow and foster in the right environment. Does that environment exist in Atlanta?
This coaching staff believes so. Watts will be paired with Jessie Bates, and life is a lot easier when you have an All-Pro by your side. At one point, it looked like Watts would compete with Jordan Fuller for reps, but after the Falcons cut the veteran, all signs pointed to Watts making his regular-season debut as the starting safety. I expect Watts to fare well on the backend. He’s a savvy player who can rely on his mind as much as his body, and could prove to be a feared ball hawk similar to Bates.
Billy Bowman has the more challenging job; being alone in the slot can be terrifying, but Bowman is fearless. Grit, effort, and a disregard for human life —Bowman’s college tape personified these qualities, and that didn’t change during the preseason. Whether it was sprinting into the teeth of the offensive line or on the boundary during punt coverage, Bowman left it all on the field. There are rookie moments where he is almost too out of control, but you will never question his effort, and that can’t be said for others behind him in the room. Be prepared for volatility, and remember that the players behind him offer that same downside.
It is essential to stay patient with rookies; they won’t be perfect and will inevitably make mistakes. It is how they respond and grow that will tell us everything about their future in this league. This staff sees the potential in these players, and so does this writer. Now, we wait for them to play the games that matter. How do you feel about the new pair of rookie starters?
