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Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft: Grading Each Pick

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) is brought down by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) is brought down by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) is brought down by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) is brought down by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs safety Xavier Woods (7) down the field during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

XAVIER WOODS, SS. A+. . Sixth Round, 191st Overall. Louisiana Tech

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 197 lbs.
Combine 40 Speed/Vertical: 4.54/33 1/2
2016 Numbers: 89 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 11 pds, 5 ints

Analysis: The Dallas Cowboys actually traded up in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft to select Louisiana Tech strong safety Xavier Woods. And if you were watching the live draft coverage on DallasCowboys.com, you would have thought the Cowboys had just selected the second coming of Darren Woodson to Dallas.

Obviously, the La Tech prospect isn’t Woody 2.0. But he did represent high value in the sixth round. So much so, the Cowboys were willing to trade away a future fifth rounder to get him.

Woods appears to be a safety capable of playing both down in the box as well as being a ballhawk in coverage. A smart football player who is beloved by his teammates and coaches, Xavier could compete for a starting role in Dallas this season.

And that’s huge considering the Cowboys drafted him the sixth round! But it’s not unusual for Dallas. Starting cornerback Anthony Brown was drafted in the sixth round last season out of Purdue.

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