Craig Woodson absolutely went OFF against the Eagles on Wednesday, pulling down two picks off Jalen Hurts and bagging a sack. This wasn’t just some casual practice performance, folks. If it wasn’t for Drake Maye and A.J. Brown doing their thing, Woodson’s turnover clinic would have been the biggest talk of that joint session. The dude was everywhere, showing exactly why he’s locked in as a starter.
Two Takeaways and a Sack? Yeah, He’s Ballin’
Woodson’s performance on Wednesday was nothing short of phenomenal. Two interceptions and a sack, are you kidding me? Fellow safety Kevin Byard summed it up perfectly, saying Woodson’s been “having a phenomenal camp, in my opinion. Two takeaways [Wednesday], can’t get any better than that.” That kind of production against an Eagles offense, even in practice, is huge. While he dipped out early from Thursday’s session for unknown reasons, letting Marcus Jones grab some shine, Woodson’s got every reason to feel great about his summer so far. This isn’t just a flash in the pan either; his development from a promising rookie year has solidified his spot and then some.
Year 2, Commander Status: Trust and Comfort
Marcus Jones hit it right on the head when he called Woodson a “commander” in the defensive backfield. That’s a massive leap for a second-year guy. Jones straight up said, “He’s a commander back there in the backend. We listen to him and we trust him.” Think about that for a minute. He came in last year, a 106th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, and quickly climbed the depth chart. He started an insane 19 of 21 games as a rookie, leading the defense with a 93.7% playing time share and essentially making veterans like Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers expendable. Now, in Year 2, Jones points to his “comfortability” in the scheme. That comfort lets him “run fast and make plays,” and we’ve seen him doing it. Byard, his new All-Pro running mate, sees it too, praising Woodson as a “very mature guy” at 25, not your typical young second-year player.
What’s next for Woodson? He’s clearly found his footing and leadership role. With Byard bringing his league experience, this safety tandem could be a real problem for opposing offenses. Keep an eye on how that partnership develops; it could define the defense this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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