News: BTB: Cowboys Draft Pick Analysis: Xavier Woods Is A Playmaking Safety At Pick 191

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The Cowboys found a way to nail a fourth-round potential starter in the sixth round, remind you of anyone?

Most Cowboys fans were hoping the Cowboys would get back in there in the fifth round but it seems as though Dallas was content to wait. Pretty much exactly as Jerry Jones stated, they sat through 77 picks in between taking new Twitter receiving Phenom, Ryan Switzer, and their sixth-round pick at 211 overall. That was until they put us all out of our misery and traded up for the most obvious pick at 191.

Though it was still a long wait, it was worth it as the Cowboys were able to pick up a pretty solid prospect who had no business being there at 191.

The Cowboys select Xavier Woods, SS, Louisiana Tech


Where He Fits: Woods is a favorite of just about every Cowboys’ fan and the trade up made too much sense. He’s a standout product out of La Tech who had plenty of jaw-dropping plays to his resume. The Cowboys needed a safety with range and they got someone with the versatility to move around. Dallas has pretty much told us all that they’re interested in dynamic defenders that can go after the ball, Woods is certainly that type of safety.

Production: Woods’ production was outstanding where he started 10 games as a true freshman. He had six picks and two pick-sixes as a freshman which put him squarely on the radar. In 2015, Xavier had 56 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 3 INTs, and three PBUs. In 2016, Woods was back at it again with 89 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 5 INTs, 6 PBUs. To have 14 interceptions in three seasons is outstanding. The Cowboys are getting a producer here that scares quarterbacks with his playmaking ability.

Value: The rumor mill states that the Cowboys were going to pull this trigger in the fourth round, where Xavier being on the board was still mystifying. Instead, they got their dynamic receiver and waited. It paid off handsomely because they got both in the end. Woods is the seventh-best strong safety on the CBS Board and make no mistake the Cowboys “love” this kid.

Conclusion: It’s truly remarkable that the Cowboys’ have found a starting-quality safety to battle with Jeff Heath and Kavon Frazier. It will be one hell of a competition at training camp for that spot. All you need to know about Xavier Woods is that his name will be called a lot on Sundays for all the right reasons. He flat out makes play after play. Just like finding Anthony Brown in the sixth round (fourth-round grade), the Cowboys nailed another athletic playmaker in the sixth, two picks after Brown was selected last year. This kid is a pure competitive champion of the gridiron.

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