The Cowboys commitment to retooling their secondary through the 2017 NFL Draft has continued via a trade with the New York Jets. Bringing in one of their last remaining pre-draft visits, and a target that could have been considered as high as the third round, the Cowboys gave New York next year’s fifth round pick to draft Louisiana Tech safety Xavier Woods 191st overall.
The Cowboys not only passed on Woods through the second and third round, but took an offensive player in WR Ryan Switzer before him. When the physical safety Woods fell through an entire fifth round that the Cowboys did not have a pick in, it was time for Stephen Jones, Will McClay, and defensive backs coach Joe Baker – who said himself he liked Woods – to go get another starter.
https://insidethestar.com/2017-cowboys-draft-target-louisiana-tech-s-xavier-woods/
Of course, the sixth round was favorable a year ago for the Cowboys in drafting a starter for their secondary at cornerback in Anthony Brown. Now, with their pick at 211th overall still coming up, Xavier Woods has been added to fill the void at safety left in free agency by both Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox.
Finding quality players in the draft is what the Cowboys do, and they just traded up for one that gives them incredible value in the sixth round with Xavier Woods.
NFL write-up >
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/xavier-woods?id=2558159
Grade: Byron Jones moves back to CB to start with Awuzie…
That seems to be the possible thinking. There is a reason the Cowboys moved up for Woods. Instinctive playmaker who can take the ball away. Has to play FS due to size.
I don’t mind a shuffle that can make this secondary pop. Especially after Jaylon Smith is moved to SS… ;^)