Antwaun

Woods

The journeyman defensive tackle made seven appearances for the Colts last season. Woods could crack the 53-man roster, but he would be a 100-200 snap player in Arizona.

The 28-year-old was cut loose by the Cowboys six days ago. Woods rotates in as a run stuffer along the line, a role that usually earns him somewhere in the neighborhood of 400-500 snaps. The Colts already have some tremendous bulk on the interior with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, however, so that number is probably going to be lower in Indy for Woods.

The team saves $2.1 million with the move. Credited with sparking the Dallas defense around midseason last year, Woods apparently became expendable after the Cowboys added six defensive linemen over the past two months, including two in the draft. ESPN’s Michael Gehlken said Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has emphasized arm length as a key attribute for his defensive lineman. Woods has 31-inch arms -- three inches short of Quinn’s preference, per Gehlken. Woods, 28, should receive interest from a few teams this spring.

A rotational run stuffer, 28-year-old Woods will hope to see 400-500 snaps in 2021. There is not another level to his game.

It is worth $2.133 million. Since Woods is a former undrafted free agent, the Cowboys would receive no trade compensation if they declined to match an offer sheet elsewhere. An offer sheet is highly unlikely to be forthcoming for an interior lineman who is decent against the run but not much else.

He was an exclusive rights free agent. Woods, 27, has started 25 games for the Cowboys over the past two seasons. The Cowboys signed defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe this offseason. Dallas allowed the tenth fewest rushing yards per game in 2019.

Woods was arrested on drug and “tampering” charges after he allegedly “tried to put out a marijuana cigarette when he knew he was about to be stopped for speeding.” An eight-game starter this season, Woods is currently sidelined with a knee issue. He will likely face a short suspension in 2020.

Woods suffered the injury in the Cowboys’ Divisional Round loss to the Rams, apparently playing through the ailment for much of the contest. It’s a fairly serious operation, one that can come with a lengthy rehab timeline. Woods should be considered questionable for the start of training camp. A third-year UDFA in 2018, Woods made the first 15 starts of his NFL career, earning neutral marks from Pro Football Focus.

Woods (6'0/318) was a three-year starter at nose tackle for the Trojans, tallying 14.5 career tackles for loss and eight sacks. He was named first-team All-Pac 12 by the conference’s coaches as a senior. Athletic for his stout-and-stubby size, Woods ran a 5.0-flat forty at USC’s Pro Day and has NFL-level quickness with heavy, powerful hands. A fire hydrant in the trenches, Woods is a sleeper to contribute in a one-technique role.