It's NFL draft month. So between now and when the first round begins, we will be highlighting prospects who could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
Next up is California safety Craig Woodson.
Measureables
Height: 6-001
Weight: 200
Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 8.76
Craig Woodson is a FS prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.76 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 151 out of 1207 FS from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/lpWrOYvLxMpic.twitter.com/4l8ZkmnWHX
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 4, 2025
Stats to know
Woodson is an experienced college player, with 2,725 defensive snaps over four seasons at Cal and filled a variety of roles on the back end. According to PFF, Woodson played 715 career snaps lined up in the box, 1,358 as the free safety, and 572 in the slot.
“He plays in the deep half," said Daniel Jeremiah of Woodson on a conference call prior to the NFL combine. "He can play downhill. He can open. He’s a smooth mover. He’s got speed. He’s a firm tackler, and he’s really, really smart. Talking to the folks at Cal, they rave about his intelligence and leadership."
In 2024 specifically, Woodson was one of PFF’s highest-graded run defenders and tacklers at the safety position. He also held opponents to a career-low 9.0 yards per catch with two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Fit with the Indianapolis Colts
The safety position in Lou Anarumo's defense can have a lot put on their plate, and that player has to be versatile and able to handle a variety of responsibilities, which, as Jeremiah laid out above, Woodson is comfortable with.
Even with the Colts signing Cam Bynum in free agency, safety still remains a need. In the short term, the only safeties on the roster to provide depth behind Bynum and Nick Cross are Rodney Thomas, Daniel Scott, and Marcel Dabo--with the latter two not having played any NFL snaps in their careers.
But looking beyond 2025, both Cross and Thomas are free agents next offseason. So this year, Woodson could develop and bolster the depth, while potentially being a long-term option next to Bynum, who signed a four-year deal.
NFL draft profile
For more on Woodson's game, here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his scouting report:
"Woodson is an athletic down safety with easy hips and good change-of-direction quickness. He’s a quick thinker and reactor to route combinations and quarterback actions. His make-up speed is average and he has a tougher time blanketing big targets. He’s ready and willing in run support but lacks the stopping power and block take-on of a typical box safety. Woodson can play on special teams and should compete for a job as a dime safety."
Highlights
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire:
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