Atlanta banking on Bates-Watts tandem to spark more takeaways in 2026

Atlanta banking on Bates-Watts tandem to spark more takeaways in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Falcons believe they have one of the NFL’s premier safety tandems, and veteran linebacker Divine Deablo isn’t shy about saying it.

Speaking during training camp, Deablo praised the pairing of Jessie Bates III and rising star Xavier Watts, calling them the best safety duo in football. It’s a bold statement, but one the Falcons hope will prove true as they enter the 2026 season with one of the league’s most talented defenses.

Bates has already established himself as one of the NFL’s elite defensive backs. Since arriving in Atlanta, he has consistently been the leader of the secondary, combining outstanding instincts with the ability to create game-changing turnovers.

The excitement, however, continues to grow around Watts.

The former Notre Dame All-American has impressed coaches and teammates throughout the offseason with his range, football IQ, and ability to make plays on the ball. If his development continues on its current trajectory, Atlanta could indeed boast the most complete safety tandem in the NFL.

That possibility becomes even more important when looking back at last season’s numbers.

Falcons see elite potential in Bates-Watts safety combination

Despite fielding one of the league’s more talented secondaries, the Falcons struggled to consistently take the football away. Atlanta finished the 2025 campaign with just 16 interceptions, a total that fell well below expectations for a defense loaded with talent in the back end.

Creating turnovers has become a major emphasis throughout training camp.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has repeatedly stressed the importance of turning tight coverage into takeaways, knowing that interceptions can dramatically change the outcome of games.

With Bates serving as the veteran leader and Watts emerging as one of the NFL’s promising young safeties, the Falcons believe those numbers will improve significantly.

If Deablo’s confidence proves accurate, Atlanta won’t just have one of the league’s best safety duos—they’ll have a defense capable of creating the splash plays needed to compete deep into January.

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