Professional
The Dallas Cowboys selected Woodson in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft, assigning him jersey #28. According to a March 16, 2010, article by Gerry Fraley in the Dallas Morning News, while on a scouting trip to Arizona State University before the draft, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dave Campo "spotted a linebacker who looked like a safety in waiting. Based on Campo's input, the Cowboys selected Woodson." The change allowed him to go from being considered small to becoming an oversized safety.
Woodson spent his rookie season on special teams, then moved into the starting lineup at strong safety in 1993, replacing James Washington. In just his second season, he set a Cowboys franchise record for tackles for a defensive back, with 155.
As described by Fraley, "Woodson had the run-stopping skills of a strong safety and the pass-coverage ability of a free safety. His ability to cover slot receivers made a significant difference for the defense". On third downs he played the slot-role in the nickel defense, which is normally done by cornerbacks. By having him close to the line of scrimmage, it allowed the team to also use him to stop the run and pressure the quarterback.
Woodson quickly became one of the best safeties in the NFL, being selected to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams by the AP. He also was the first Cowboys safety since Cliff Harris, to be chosen to consecutive Pro Bowls.
He was a member of all three Cowboys Super Bowl champion teams of the 1990s and was described in Sports Illustrated as "one of the hardest hitters in the NFL."
In 2002 he broke the Cowboys career tackling record playing against the Seattle Seahawks, but was overshadowed after Emmitt Smith set the NFLs career rushing record during the same game.
Woodson sat out all of the 2004 season due to a herniated disc, that forced him to retire at the end of the year. Besides being the leading career tackler with 1350, he is arguably the franchise's best safety and one of its best defensive and special teams players. He was also the last remaining player on the active roster from the Cowboys' Super Bowl teams.
Since Woodson retired, the Cowboys have seen their safety position become a problem for several years.
Read more about this topic: Darren Woodson
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