Atlanta Falcons sign three members of 2025 NFL draft class

[ASFN Admin]

On Friday, the Atlanta Falcons signed three of the five members from their 2025 NFL draft class, the team announced. Third-round pick Xavier Watts, fourth-round pick Billy Bowman and seventh-rounder Jack Nelson each signed their rookie contracts.

Watts, a playmaking safety out of Notre Dame, has a chance to start or at least play a key role on the Falcons defense this season. Bowman, another former safety, is expected to move over to the nickel spot. Nelson is an experienced offensive lineman who can provide depth as a swing tackle.

How much will each Falcons rookie cost against salary cap?​

EDGE Jalon Walker - 2025 Cap Hit: $3,738,612 (Unsigned)

• Total contract value: $20,562,366

EDGE James Pearce Jr - 2025 Cap Hit: $3,050,686 (Unsigned)

• Total contract value: $16,778,776

Safety Xavier Watts - 2025 Cap Hit: $1,125,192 (Signed)

• Total contract value: $,6,188,556

DB Billy Bowman - 2025 Cap Hit: $1,086538 (Signed)

• Total contract value: $5,186,152

OT Jack Nelson - 2025 Cap Hit: $878,154 (Signed)

• Total contract value: $4,352,616

As you can see, these three rookies will combine for a salary cap hit of roughly $3 million this season. The Falcons had a projected $9.7 million in cap space available before signing Watts, Bowman and Nelson. Now, they are left with around $6.6 million.

Around Falcons Wire​

• Falcons 53-man roster prediction
• Top remaining NFL free agents
• Falcons 2025 strength of schedule
• NFL.com flames Falcons draft class
• Cobee Bryant: Impact player for ATL?
• Xavier Watts: A "perfect" fit in ATL

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Falcons sign Xavier Watts, two other rookies

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