The New England Patriots hit the home stretch of the 2025 NFL draft in the secondary.
The war room in Foxborough selected California safety Craig Woodson at No. 106 overall as the fourth round got underway on Saturday afternoon.
Here’s an initial look into why and what’s ahead.
A 40-game starter from the Pac-12 to the ACC
A former three-star recruit, Woodson’s run with the Golden Bears spanned six years. After redshirting as a freshman in 2019, blocking a punt during the shortened 2020 season and then missing all of 2021 due to a knee injury, he finished as a 40-game starter.
Woodson got the nod in every game he appeared in over his final three falls of eligibility. From 2022 on, the defensive back amassed 226 tackles. Three forced fumbles and five interceptions were registered, including a 39-yard pick returned for a touchdown.
Twice an All-Pac-12 honorable mention with an odometer on special teams, Woodson closed out his time in Berkeley as a third-team All-ACC honoree. He turned 24 in February.
Versatile range against the run and the pass
Woodson, who had a hand in nine career tackles for loss, also had a hand in multiple spots for the Cal defense. Pro Football Focus charted the 6-foot, 200-pounder for playing 557 snaps in the slot, 685 snaps in the box and 1,272 snaps back as the deep safety dating back to 2022.
Last season, Woodson’s all-around range brought an 88.5 grade in coverage as well as an 85.6 grade in run defense.
The East-West Shrine Bowler went on to run the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, which tied Texas’ Andrew Mukuba for fifth place among participating safety prospects.
In addition, a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump were recorded while at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Finding room for defense
The Patriots went all offense through three rounds with LSU left tackle Will Campbell, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams and Georgia center Jared Wilson.
But the other side of the ball would soon be turned to.
“Obviously helped the offense out,” executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said Friday night. “As we move forward here, certainly going to look to address the defense.”
Woodson kicked things off on Saturday afternoon. For a safety depth chart that has been searching for a centerfielder type, his arrival should help free up responsibilities veteran, downhill starters Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers to play closer to the line of scrimmage. And behind them, March saw Marcus Epps signed and Jaylinn Hawkins re-signed on one-year deals.
A linebacker hybrid in Marte Mapu and undrafted special teams assets in Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler also factor into the crowded picture.
