NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The backend of the Titans’ defense should be set after adding safety Xavier Woods. The durable defender is getting two years and $10 million, per Adam Schefter.
He’ll play next to Amani Hooker with L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie slated to start as the outside corners and Roger McCreary as the nickel, but Jarvis Brownlee ready to challenge Awuzie for his spot in the defensive backfield.
The Titans also re-signed Mike Brown, who’s currently in line as the third safety.
“Big, aggressive run-down safety,” said former Titans scout Blake Beddingfield, who writes here. “Better close to the box than deep middle. Has ball skills but he’s a better run player. Solid blitzer. Has the instincts for the position very similar to Hooker.”
Woods was originally a sixth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2017 out of Louisiana Tech. He played four seasons in Dallas, one in Minnesota and three in Carolina. His expiring deal with the Panthers was a three-year, $15 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus and just over $6 million guaranteed.
He will turn 30 on July 26.
Over the last 7 seasons, Xavier Woods has started every game he has played. His snap percentage for those 7 seasons:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2025
100
100
99
97
97
96
91 https://t.co/w4N7dB5QNt
Notes from James Foster on Xavier Woods:
- Aggressive, downhill free safety with great anticipation and ball skills
- Doesn’t look “washed” athletically, still very explosive with enough speed
- Tone-setter who will lay a hit. He’s the one that knocked the shit out of Tyjae Spears in 2023
- Good ball skills and production across his career, although all three of his interceptions last year were tipped passes/low quality
- Definitely a gambler/guesser who will bust some coverages occasionally
- Gave up 5 TDs last year (career high). Loses track of his assignment a lot, especially in the red zone
- Played most of his snaps at FS so he wasn’t in the run fit much, but very willing run defender
- Above average tackler and hard hitter
