We’re counting down the days until the Panthers kick off the 2024 season.
We’re officially 25 days away from the Carolina Panthers kicking off the 2024 NFL season against the New Orleans Saints. It will be their second consecutive road opener. Now it’s time for our annual roster countdown to highlight the players on the Panthers’ roster. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the player wearing the the No. 25 jersey — S Xavier Woods.
Woods has turned into a cornerstone of the Panthers defense since signing with the team in March of 2022. Originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round of the 2017 NFL Draft (191st overall), he played out his rookie contract with mixed results. After only starting four games but showing some flashes, the Cowboys moved some secondary defenders around to make a spot at free safety for Woods. His production never matched the flashes as he never surpassed 77 tackles or two interceptions in a single season despite playing and starting in most games. Woods signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and baller out. He set career highs on tackles (108), interceptions (3), and passes defended (10). While he has yet to match those numbers in his couple seasons with Carolina, Woods has been a consistently good player on the backend of a defense that has struggled to stay healthy. He constantly played behind depth corners when Jaycee Horn and Dante Jackson were injured, not to mention the revolving doors in the front seven. While he doesn’t have as many splash plays as fans might hope, he is an unquestioned leader on the defense and could have added motivation in the final season of his contract.
How about it Panthers fans, what do are you hoping for from the Panthers veteran safety? Scroll on down to the comments and share your thoughts with us!