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Dallas Cowboys defensive secondary draft picks: Player comparisons

By Steve Miklosko

Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Leon Allen (33) carries the ball away from 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) carries the ball away from 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 /

6th Round – Xavier Woods,  Safety, Louisiana Tech

Player Comparisons:

Los Angeles Chargers safety Dwight Lowery (source: ProFootballFocus.com)

New Orleans Saints defensive back Vonn Bell (source: BleacherReport.com)

Chicago Bears safety Quintin Demps (source: HogsHaven.com)

Despite the player comparisons for Woods not standing out as much as the ones for Awuzie and Lewis, the Cowboys would be grateful if their sixth round pick became as competent as any of his suggested comparisons.

Lowery has forced 10 turnovers in the past three seasons and even scored a defensive touchdown in 2016. He has only given up one touchdown in coverage in the last three years (source: ProFootballFocus). Bell was selected in the second round of the draft by the New Orleans Saints last season. He started 13 games in multiple positions in the secondary in his rookie year. Demps has forced 18 turnovers in the last three seasons. He was rated the 12th best safety in 2016 (source: ProFootballFocus).

Key Takeaways: Woods is seen as one of the Cowboys’ most exciting picks due to his value in the sixth round. The fact he is compared to a couple longtime starters in the NFL shows why the Cowboys pegged him as a potential fourth round pick. While he likely doesn’t become a star, he could become a solid backfield contributor.

Next: Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft - Grading Each Pick

Bottom Line: It’s not easy to speculate how well rookies will turn out in the NFL, but the general conclusion appears to be the Dallas Cowboys found three talented athletes to fill out their secondary. It shouldn’t be recommended for fans to expect the best case scenario for each of these draft picks. With that being said, the off-season is a great time for fans to get excited and perhaps envision a secondary with talents comparable to Slay, Harris Jr. and Lowery.

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