The Dallas Cowboys Select Xavier Woods With The 191st Pick (6th Round) In The 2017 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys traded up in the sixth round to get safety Xavier Woods. The Cowboys gave up a fifth-round pick in 2018 to the Jets to get their man. Woods has long been a late-round possibility for the Cowboys, especially after they lost Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox.

NFL.com says:

BOTTOM LINE

Woods' career stat sheet at Louisiana Tech is loaded with play after play, but that has to be balanced out with his occasional lack of discipline that can cost his defense on the back end. Woods has outstanding instincts and ball skills, but will need to play with the game in front of him due to potential athletic limitations in space. Woods is a tough competitor and his penchant for finding the ball is likely to win a team over in the later rounds.

CBS Sports:

Possesses a versatile skill-set that teams look for at the position. Against the run, he comes to balance well on the move and maintains a level strike zone in his tackle attempts, wrapping with strong hands and wrists to finish. His speed and tackling skills allow him to be a successful blitzer and also shows on special teams as well.

In coverage, Woods does a nice job turning his head downfield to find the ball and make a play, using his body control and hand-eye coordination to undercut routes.

IN OUR VIEW: An NFL scout told me the Louisiana Tech coaches rave about his work ethic, preparation and makeup, showing the leadership traits to "get on teammates" when needed. He isn't a household name, but keep Woods on your radar for the 2017 draft class.

Cowboys Needs:

Defensive line/edge rusher: The Cowboys have needed help here for years, ever since the departure of DeMarcus Ware. DE Taco Charlton

Cornerback: The Cowboys lost Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne in free agency. They still have three corners who can play, in Orlando Scandrick, Nolan Carroll and Anthony Brown, but they need depth, and a possible upgrade. CB Chidobe Awuzie, CB Jourdan Lewis

Safety: Starter Barry Church and sometime-starter/reserve J.J. Wilcox both exited in free agency, leaving the Cowboys with Byron Jones and question marks. Jeff Heath is currently the other starter, but a high pick int he draft could become the starter at the position. S Xavier Woods

Right Tackle: Doug Free is retiring, and Chaz Green has yet to show he can stay healthy. Free agent signee Byron Bell is a stop-gap, the Cowboys need to find the future at the position.

Cowboys draft picks:

(Round-pick in the round-overall pick)

1-28-28: DE Taco Charlton

2-28-60: CB Chidobe Awuzie

3-28-92: CB Jourdan Lewis

4-27-133: WR Ryan Switzer

6-7-191: S Xavier Woods

6-28-211 Dallas

7-10-228 Dallas from Buffalo

7-28-246 Dallas