Star Evaluation: Xavier Woods Showed Versatility & Potential In Year 1

Jan 31, 2018 at 09:03 AM

David Helman

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.

However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.

Today, we'll continue the series with safety Xavier Woods.

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10 September 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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17 September 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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25 September 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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01 October 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys' Xavier Woods (25) and Byron Jones (31) break up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Michael Ainsworth/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys' Xavier Woods (25) and DeMarcus Lawrence (90) rear, celebrate during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Roger Steinman/AP Images

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FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2017, file photo, Dallas Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis (27), Chidobe Awuzie (33) and Xavier Woods (25) warm up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Arlington, Texas. Awuzie is finally healthy, which means the Cowboys are finally getting a look at a trio of rookie defensive backs together after a significant investment in the draft that included fellow cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Xavier Woods. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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08 October 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL vs GB

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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22 October 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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San Francisco 49ers' Trent Taylor, left, fumbles a punt that was recovered by Dallas Cowboys' Xavier Woods (25) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

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29 October 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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05 November 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs KC

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) carries the ball past Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) during an NFL football game, Sunday, November 12, 2017, in Atlanta. (Paul Abell via AP)

Paul Abell/AP Images

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12 November 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) runs after he intercepted a ball thrown by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

John Bazemore/AP Images

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DAL Vs ATL

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DAL Vs ATL

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DAL Vs ATL

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19 November 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) and offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski (61) prepare for the snap while Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) looks on during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

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DAL vs LAC

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) walks up to the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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23 November 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Los Angeles Chargers receiver Travis Benjamin (12) catches a pass as Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) defends during a 2017 NFL week 12 regular season game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Chargers defeated the Cowboys, 28-6. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) tackles Los Angeles Chargers receiver Travis Benjamin (12) during a 2017 NFL week 12 regular season game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Chargers defeated the Cowboys, 28-6. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) in coverage during a week 12 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Los Angeles won 28-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

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Dallas Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis (27) and Xavier Woods (25) walk on the field after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) catches a pass in warmups before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) in coverage during a week 13 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

Aaron M. Sprecher/AP Images

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30 November 2017: Xavier Woods (25 ) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) and strong safety Xavier Woods (25) tackle New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) f

Bill Kostroun/AP Images

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10 December 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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17 December 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates with safety Xavier Woods (25) after the defense forced a turnover during a week 15 NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

Aaron M. Sprecher/AP Images

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24 December 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) in coverage at the line of scrimmage during a week 16 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

Aaron M. Sprecher/AP Images

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) greets Dallas Cowboys strong safety Xavier Woods (25) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Michael Ainsworth/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods (25) stands in position during a 2017 NFL week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 6-0. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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31 December 2017: Xavier Woods (25)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) has a pass broken up by Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (33) and safety Xavier Woods (25), Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)

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Dallas Cowboys' Xavier Woods (25) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Chris Szagola/AP Images

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What's Been Good:

It seems hard to view Woods' rookie season as anything other than a rousing success, all things considered. The Louisiana native was drafted in the sixth-round, all the way back at pick No. 191. Not only did he make the team, but he appeared in all 16 games, starting four. It wasn't surprising to see Woods play at his natural safety position, but injuries also forced him to play some nickel corner – a role he showed some promise in. All told, he played 504 defensive snaps at two different positions, managing 41 tackles and an interception. Not too shabby for a guy who lasted all the way to the sixth round.

What's Been Bad:

That's not to say Woods is a finished product. He was still a rookie, and he looked the part at times. All of the Cowboys' rookie defensive backs had their growing pains, and Woods was no different given that he was on the field for 50 percent of the defense's snaps. It'll be especially interesting to see how the coaching staff handles his versatility. There are new coaches in place who will likely determine whether Woods moves forward at safety or nickel back – or in all likelihood both. How he develops heading into Year 2 will be crucial for his role in 2018.

2017 Highlight:

The Cowboys would ultimately lose to Atlanta by 20 points, but that shouldn't detract from one of the best plays a Dallas defender made all season. With the Falcons facing a 3rd-and-7 from their own red zone in the first quarter, Matt Ryan looked for Mohamed Sanu on a contested comeback route. Anthony Brown and Sanu fought for the ball, popping it into the air. Woods, playing safety backtracked and dove for the ricochet, hauling it in for an impressive interception. The takeaway set the Cowboys up to take a 7-0 lead – which was ultimately their only lead of the game.

What's Next:

It'll be fun to sort out the pecking order in the defensive backfield this year, as all the Cowboys' contributors return. The cornerback depth chart looks particularly stout, with Jourdan Lewis, Chidobe Awuzie, Orlando Scandrick and Anthony Brown all under contract. All four safeties return from 2017, as well. That said, it seems early to set anything in stone. The secondary showed flashes of potential last year, but there's a definitive need for improvement. It's also interesting to think how the addition of Kris Richard as secondary coach could shake things up. As it stands right now, Woods is probably looking up the depth chart at Jeff Heath, Byron Jones and Kavon Frazier. If he continues his trajectory from last season, though, it's not hard to imagine him climbing the ladder.

In a surprising move after the Chargers game, the coaching staff put Xavier Woods in as the primary slot/nickel corner.
To his credit, he wasn't exposed and handled the assignment well.
Where Woods wasn't a liability in coverage, he wasn't always sound as a tackler.
For him to compete for a starting spot at safety, he's going to need to be more consistent in that area to secure the job.

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