15 Draft Steals - Dallas got one

[zekecowboy]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/15-steals-in-the-2017-nfl-draft/ss-BBAy5Ua#image=2

Moderator revised incorrect link

Xavier Woods, No. 191, Cowboys

As my colleague, Andre Vergara pointed out, for the Cowboys to land Woods at pick No. 191 was a great bit of luck. He was one of the top safety prospects in this draft but somehow fell into the sixth round. The Cowboys were reportedly ready to pull the trigger on drafting Woods in the fourth round — they're glad they waited

 

[JonJon]

Is that the right link?

 

[Vero_F250]

Is that the right link?

It is. If you want your headline morning news...

 

[JoeKing]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/15-steals-in-the-2017-nfl-draft/ss-BBAy5Ua#image=2


Xavier Woods, No. 191, Cowboys

As my colleague, Andre Vergara pointed out, for the Cowboys to land Woods at pick No. 191 was a great bit of luck. He was one of the top safety prospects in this draft but somehow fell into the sixth round. The Cowboys were reportedly ready to pull the trigger on drafting Woods in the fourth round — they're glad they waited

Fixed It For You... with correct link

 

[Pants]

Woods went about where he was projected, I still don't get all of the love for this guy...I hope to, some day, feel the same love as the vast masses on here....but to call him a "steal" is a bit of a stretch, IMO

 

[JoeKing]

Woods went about where he was projected, I still don't get all of the love for this guy...I hope to, some day, feel the same love as the vast masses on here....but to call him a "steal" is a bit of a stretch, IMO

I had him projected to go in the 4th round so I definitely see the value in this pick.

 

[TheKey]

Woods went about where he was projected, I still don't get all of the love for this guy...I hope to, some day, feel the same love as the vast masses on here....but to call him a "steal" is a bit of a stretch, IMO

The Cowboys disagree with you. He had a fourth round grade and was in the Cowboys top 68 prospects, per SJ. I've seen all of his 51 starts and he's a playmaker ala Honey Badger or Earl Thomas. He fell because of the perceived quality of competition and his size.

 

[casmith07]

The Cowboys disagree with you. He had a fourth round grade and was in the Cowboys top 68 prospects, per SJ. I've seen all of his 51 starts and he's a playmaker ala Honey Badger or Earl Thomas. He fell because of the perceived quality of competition and his size.

I hope he pans out. Even if in his first two years his floor is Barry Church, he'll be pretty good.

People forget that Barry Church came from top-tier program Toledo.

 

[DallasEast]

The Cowboys disagree with you. He had a fourth round grade and was in the Cowboys top 68 prospects, per SJ. I've seen all of his 51 starts and he's a playmaker ala Honey Badger or Earl Thomas. He fell because of the perceived quality of competition and his size.

Congrats to the LaTECH family.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Woods went about where he was projected, I still don't get all of the love for this guy...I hope to, some day, feel the same love as the vast masses on here....but to call him a "steal" is a bit of a stretch, IMO

14 ints his last 3 years is crazy for a safety. People were saying because lack of competition he faced (something like that), which some downgraded him for though. If I'm mistaken, feel free to explain. (I didn't follow his career)

 

[Hardline]

He won't be a steal unless he out plays his draft slot.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Woods went about where he was projected, I still don't get all of the love for this guy...I hope to, some day, feel the same love as the vast masses on here....but to call him a "steal" is a bit of a stretch, IMO

Projected by who?

 

[TheKey]

Congrats to the LaTECH family.

14 ints his last 3 years is crazy for a safety. People were saying because lack of competition he faced (something like that), which some downgraded him for though. If I'm mistaken, feel free to explain. (I didn't follow his career)

Thanks, DallasEast. People are acting like Louisiana Tech is a D2 program. We had a first round pick last year, with three other players being drafted, and three drafted this year. Tramon Williams, Kentrell Brice, Vernon Butler, Myles White, Jordan Mills, Quinton Patton, Luke McCown, Kenneth Dixon, Justin Ellis, Houston Bates...those are a handful of guys who we put out in the past few seasons that have STARTED games in the NFL. The school has won three bowl games in a row, with 9 wins each season. Skip Holtz is doing a great job with the program. In 2012 the team fell one win short of playing in the Orange Bowl. The team lost by one point to Arkansas last year (in a game that Xavier had an INT) and has beaten Illinois, UVA, Navy, Mississippi State and other "P5" programs in the past few years. I know I am biased, but give me La Tech over the lower tier SEC and B1G schools any day.

Xavier is just always around the ball. I get that he is small-ish, but he is a hitter. To me, I'd rather have a safety who played at La Tech and faced spread "air raid" offenses over someone who played in the SEC and faced a lot of power run systems. Air raid offenses are much more complex through the air and much harder to defend. It's true that the quality of competition is lower, but when you are playing offenses that average 65 points per game I'd say that playing safety there is probably a little more challenging. One does not cause 20 turnovers in 3 years by accident.

 

[TheKey]

Thanks, DallasEast. People are acting like Louisiana Tech is a D2 program. We had a first round pick last year, with three other players being drafted, and three drafted this year. Tramon Williams, Kentrell Brice, Vernon Butler, Myles White, Jordan Mills, Quinton Patton, Luke McCown, Kenneth Dixon, Justin Ellis, Houston Bates...those are a handful of guys who we put out in the past few seasons that have STARTED games in the NFL. The school has won three bowl games in a row, with 9 wins each season. Skip Holtz is doing a great job with the program. In 2012 the team fell one win short of playing in the Orange Bowl. The team lost by one point to Arkansas last year (in a game that Xavier had an INT) and has beaten Illinois, UVA, Navy, Mississippi State and other "P5" programs in the past few years. I know I am biased, but give me La Tech over the lower tier SEC and B1G schools any day.

Xavier is just always around the ball. I get that he is small-ish, but he is a hitter. To me, I'd rather have a safety who played at La Tech and faced spread "air raid" offenses over someone who played in the SEC and faced a lot of power run systems. Air raid offenses are much more complex through the air and much harder to defend. It's true that the quality of competition is lower, but when you are playing offenses that average 65 points per game I'd say that playing safety there is probably a little more challenging. One does not cause 20 turnovers in 3 years by accident.

Here is a nice shot of Xavier taking a pick six to the house, with 1st round pick Vernon Butler *(Carolina Panthers) and GB starting Safety Kentrell Brice running to celebrate.

 

[jazzcat22]

Didn't they have a higher grade on Kevon Frazier last year?
I am happy they drafted Woods. But let's see how it plays out in TC. Chances are both can make the team.

 

[CATCH17]

Woods went about where he was projected, I still don't get all of the love for this guy...I hope to, some day, feel the same love as the vast masses on here....but to call him a "steal" is a bit of a stretch, IMO

When I watch him what stands out is that he is always around the ball.


He's smaller but he covers pretty well.

I don't know if he's a steal or not but I think he'll definitely help our pass coverage out against these quick passing teams.

 

[Sydla]

Loved the pick. Not exactly flashy but we at least have some bodies now at S with some upside - Frazier, Woods and yes Heath (although I think the love for Heath is a bit overplayed LOL).

One little issue............ I would have loved to have seen them pick Desmond King in the 4th instead of Switzer. King can also play S and with Awuzie, given you a ton of flexibility in the backfield (and some insurance in case one of the rooks just bombs out).

 

[Doomsday101]

I like the selection of Woods a lot.

 

[Bowdown27]

I love this value pick. I think heath gets the nod for the season But woods may take his job sooner rather than later

 

[Sydla]

One thing he'll need to do less of............ he seems to like just trying to run over people instead of wrapping up. In the NFL, that could get you killed.