PATRIOTS FOURTH-ROUND DRAFT PICK CRAIG WOODSON
PRESS CONFERENCE
April 26, 2025
Q: I just wanted to ask what your reaction was, where you were, what was going on when you were being picked?
CW: Yeah, as soon as I saw the call and saw the location of the call, seeing Foxborough, Massachusetts, I already knew it was New England. Got that call, got on the phone. It was great. Just telling them that I was blessed to just hear from them, and I've been waiting on them really. That's really been my main thing. So, I'm just happy that I got the call, and it's time to work.
Q: I think you played with Jaylinn Hawkins at Cal. What do you remember about that experience of playing with him?
CW: It was great. When I came in, Jaylinn was a senior, so I just really watched him. I just wanted to soak in everything that he did at practice and the games. And one thing I always remember about Jaylinn, he always said, 'Just play turnt.' That was one thing that I just took with me for the rest of my career. Just going out there, playing free, and he just texted me after I got the call. I'm just happy to be back with him, and it's going to be great.
Q: I was just curious, for those who aren't familiar with your role in Cal's defense, what were you kind of doing in terms of your alignment? What were you doing on a snap-to-snap basis, and how do you think you'll fit in the Patriots defense? Probably going to be more man-heavy and maybe playing a ton of quarters.
CW: Yeah, at Cal, we ran every bit of coverage you could think of. So, for me this last year, I played boundary safety. We made all the checks and communications in the back end. The last two years before last year, I played field safety. I have the experience with both sides of the safety range. Like you said, with the man coverage they do, and just putting me at a single high or putting quarters, I think I have comfortability with that and just making the communication because that's safeties. You've got to be able to make the calls and have a mental aspect of just knowing everything's coming fast. You've got to be able to communicate and say the right things and get everybody lined up. That's what I do best. At Cal, we ran pretty much everything, like I said. So, I don't think it's going to be anything too difficult for me. I think I'm going to come in and really transition easily.
Q: How about special teams? What has been your background in teams?
CW: Yeah, I've been in every bit of special teams. When I first came in as a freshman, I was really all four core. But I did a lot of punt in my career. PVR, ran on kickoff, as the safety on kickoff. So, whatever they need me to do on special teams in New England, I'm there for it. I'm not the type of player who's like, 'I'm too good for special teams,' or trying to run away from it. Special teams is another extension of defense in my mind. So, being able to set the defense up for good field position or even the offense when it comes to special teams. You've got to take advantage of that and put me on the field on special teams. I'm going down there and will make a play.
Q: It sounded like you knew the area code. What was the connection with the Patriots leading up to the draft?
CW: Yeah, the Patriots were my only formal interview at the Combine. That was one thing that really stuck out to me. Once they brought me in on a 30-visit, everything was just great. The staff was great. Coaches were great. It was just good vibes there. I think that, me coming in, it's going to feel good, you know? Even though it is far from Texas and California. I'm coming in, I'm ready. I'm ready to work with that coaching staff and even the guys on the team.
Q: Who do you model your game after? And are you familiar with the Patriots' history at the safety position?
CW: There's not really anybody that I really model after. There are definitely guys in the league that I watch. Cam Bynum, I watch. Reed Blankenship, and other guys like Kirby Joseph, who just got paid. Those guys who go get the ball, who can also come up and tackle, those are the type of things that I like to put in my game. When it comes to safeties on the Patriots, the only safety I know is Jaylinn Hawkins. Also, Jabrill Peppers was over there at one point, but I know those guys can play, so I'm ready to come in and work.
Q: When you think of the New England Patriots, what comes to mind for you and what excites you most about this particular opportunity?
CW: Just the long history of Patriots, especially like the years of Tom Brady being here, winning Super Bowls, having that winning culture. That's what I think of when I think of the Patriots, is their run of being a great, winning program. Even though this last year or so hasn't been the best for the organization. I think that with us coming in this draft class, I think it's time to get to work and maybe we can change things around and make this team a winning organization again. I think that we have the coaches do that. I'm just excited.
Q: I'm curious about your style of play. It seems like the highlight reels and the things that we've seen, you're very physical. You're able to fly around and make big hits. What's the feeling when you deliver that? I'm sure you're planning on bringing that to the next level as well.
CW: Yeah, hitting people is what I've been liking to do since I was a kid. When I first started playing football, just growing up, hitting somebody, smacking them, getting them on the ground, that's everything that I've loved since the kid. Coming into college and being physical as well, coming from Texas as well. We played physical football down in Texas. Bringing that to college at Cal, it was great. I think for me, that's really the thrill of the game, just running and hitting. That's what I love, running and hitting. I'm going to love bringing that to New England. I know there's guys there who are going to be on the same page.
Q: I was just curious, if you could explain your play style to Patriots fans, what would it be and just what can they expect from you this season?
CW: Yeah, I know we just talked about being physical and hitting. That's my number one thing that I do. I think I can bring versatility when it comes to coverage, just being in the deep post or being in the deep half. I had some interceptions in the deep half this year, making plays on the ball. I think for me, I really have the versatility to do anything and even match up with a receiver if it comes down to it. For me, my play style is really anywhere. I don't think there's anything that I can't do on the field. I'm just ready to show that to Patriots Nation.
Q: You're reputed to be a very smart player. Can you just give us an example of a play, whether it's your film study, play recognition, something that came up because of your intelligence and helped you on the field?
CW: Yeah, I can think back to the play when we played Pitt. It was third-and-six. We were just coming down on this coverage called "thief." It's basically like a one-hole wrap player. I'm the wrap player. With the splits of the tight end, and then the receiver motioning out, so it was a Y-Z-reduce, which means you can alert some type of rub or switch. With that going, ball is snapped, quarterback is looking to the field. I'm the boundary safety, coming down on my alignment. Once I saw the Y-Z-reduce, I'm knowing that it could be some type of drive. Once that drive comes over to the middle of the field, 'Go and make a play' and I smacked him. We stopped them before they could get the first down. That was the highlight of my season.
