Craig Woodson: New England Patriots find defensive standout in 2025 NFL Draft

Craig Woodson became one of the most intriguing additions for the New England Patriots during the 2025 NFL Draft. After spending the first two days loading up on offensive talent, the Patriots shifted focus to defense and used their fourth-round pick on the versatile California safety. Woodson’s toughness, instincts, and ability to impact both the run and pass game make him a promising piece for New England’s future defensive plans.


New England started the draft by investing heavily on offense, selecting LSU’s Will Campbell at No. 4 overall to solidify their line, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson to boost the backfield, and Washington State’s Kyle Williams to enhance the receiving corps. They also moved up to grab Georgia center Jared Wilson, further fortifying their offensive rebuild.
Turning to defense, the Patriots added Craig Woodson, a player who proved himself at Cal with a strong five-year career. Woodson notched five interceptions and consistently graded as one of college football’s top run-stopping defensive backs, earning an 85.6 run-defense grade according to PFF. His 88.6 coverage grade and impressive 21.1% forced incompletion rate reflect his all-around impact on the field.

With established starters like Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers leading the secondary, Woodson enters a room that values versatility, physicality, and football IQ, all strengths of his game. His ability to contribute immediately on special teams also boosts his chances of seeing the field early in his rookie season.
The Patriots have long thrived on developing mid-round picks into core players, and Woodson’s combination of toughness and discipline makes him an ideal candidate for that tradition. While he may start out in a rotational role, there’s potential for him to grow into a much larger piece of the defensive puzzle as he adjusts to the pro level.
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This pick might not have dominated draft headlines, but it’s exactly the kind of savvy move that keeps defenses strong. If Craig Woodson carries over his college production and continues to develop, New England might have landed one of the steals of the draft.