Craig Woodson flashed onto the scene as a rookie last season.
The fourth-round pick (No. 106 overall) played in all 17 games, starting 15 of them. He played 950 snaps (93.23%), the most of any Patriots defensive player, and finished fourth on the team with 79 tackles. His 93.23% snap share was the highest by a Patriots defensive rookie since Devin McCourty in 2010.
Woodson took his game to another level in the playoffs, leading the NFL with 30 tackles, including a league-best four tackles for loss. His six passes defended in the postseason trailed only teammate Christian Gonzalez (seven) and Cobie Durant of the Rams (seven). He allowed just four catches on 14 targets for 28 yards in coverage.
He recorded his first career interception and recovered a fumble in the Divisional Round against the Texans, becoming the first Patriots rookie to record both a fumble recovery and an interception in a postseason game. In the Super Bowl, Woodson was one of the Patriots’ best players on the field, leading the team with 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss, while also adding two pass breakups.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Craig Woodson #31 of the New England Patriots reacts after breaking up a pass intended for Cooper Kupp #10 of the Seattle Seahawks (not pictured) during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Woodson was one of the most consistent and reliable players on the Patriots’ defense last season, and that consistency has carried over into training camp, where he’s continued to catch the eyes of his teammates and coaches.
“The experience, you know, obviously he made some plays last year and has continued to develop, especially as a vocal leader out there,” defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr said. “I think KB [Kevin Byard] in there has helped him. Just seeing how he will transition to year two, I think there’s a lot of room for him still to develop and grow. He’s got a high ceiling, and I’m excited to see where he goes with that.”
Woodson’s growth as a vocal leader hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates. Marcus Jones, who played all 17 games alongside Woodson last year, highlighted that aspect when asked about Woodson’s growth from Year 1 to Year 2.
“This season, you could definitely tell that he feels way more comfortable being in the same scheme. He’s a commander back there on the backend. We listen to him, and we trust him,” Jones said. “You can definitely tell the comfortabilty. When you know what to do, you can run fast and make plays, and that’s what he’s been doing.”
Nicknamed “The Eraser” during his college days at Cal for his ability to clean up defensive mistakes, Woodson’s growth as a vocal leader is helping him further live up to the moniker. Secondary coach Scott Booker, who coached the safeties last season, likened Woodson to a fireman, emphasizing his ability to communicate and make sure everyone is in the right place.
“Anytime you have the ability to go into the system in year two, you’re more confident you understand, you’re able to process information a little bit faster,” Booker said. “We talk about being a fixer, being a fireman, and he’s able to put out fires. And to be able to do that, you’ve got to be able to give answers to the other players and be quick and decisive in your communication. He’s done that.”
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Craig Woodson #31 of the New England Patriots reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
While Woodson was a rookie last season, he entered the NFL with plenty of experience. The 25-year-old spent six years at Cal, including the COVID year in 2020 and a 2021 season lost to a knee injury. He started all 38 games over his final three years.
That experience has stood out immediately to the new additions on the defense.
“He’s been having a phenomenal camp, in my opinion,” fellow safety Kevin Byard, who is entering his 11th professional season, said. “He’s a very mature guy. He’s 25, so he’s not a young 21-year-old second-year player. He’s very mature. He obviously played in this defense all last year, started every single game, so it’s not like this is his first time learning everything. We’ve been helping out each other, honestly. I think me just bringing my experience, the things I’ve seen around the league, but also as far as this defense, it’s been good for me to have him because this isn’t the same defense that I was in in Tennessee. So we’ve been helping each other a lot, and it’s been fun just getting our chemistry together.”
K.J. Britt, who is entering his sixth year after spending time in Tampa Bay and Miami, has noticed the same thing from Woodson.
“Man, Craig is a baller, man. You don’t see too many year two players — Craig acts like a 10-year vet. How poised he is. The game is not too big for him,” Britt said. “He just plays his game, man. He’s comfortable in the scheme. Knows what to do. Very smart. Just a very good player.”
For Woodson, that familiarity has allowed him to take another step in his development. He already showed as a rookie that he could handle a significant role and perform at a high level. Now, with a full season in the defense under his belt, he’s playing faster, communicating more confidently and taking on more responsibility on the back end, something Booker says is a natural progression for a safety entering his second season.
“Any player, you see them becoming more comfortable. The other thing at safety is that year one, a lot of safeties are just focused on their position. Year two, they’re able to see the big picture. Be able to understand how the offense is trying to attack the defense, and Craig has picked those things up,” Booker said.
“Just being more comfortable year two at the safety position. Excited about his progression. Excited about the way he’s come and attacked this offseason. Whenever he was away from here, he did everything that we asked him to do. And then when he’s back here, he’s done a great job of not only picking up where he left off, but also enhancing some of the things that we felt like were things that he can do better from year one to year two. He’s been very coachable, and he’s been really good in the room.”
For a player who already established himself as a key piece as a rookie, the added comfort, experience and communication could set the stage for an even bigger Year 2.
