NASHVILLE – Xavier Woods has played eight NFL seasons, and 123 games in all.
After spending time with the Cowboys, Vikings and Panthers, the veteran safety wasn't sure where his landing spot would be in 2025.
He ultimately joined the Titans, and the reason was simple.
"You go where you're wanted," Woods said with a smile. "I think that's the league – you go where you're wanted. They wanted me here, so I came."
It's been so far, so good, for Woods, who signed with the team back in March.
In offseason work, Woods has liked what he's seen around him.
"Nice young pieces (here)," Woods said when speaking with reporters last week. "Speaking for the DB room, you have Jarvis (Brownlee), and (L'Jarius) Sneed and we know what he is capable of. And Amani (Hooker), I've been watching him from afar. And we just drafted another safety (Kevin Winston Jr.) as well. So, nice young pieces, as well as some vets mixed in. Hopefully we can all mesh well, and take knowledge from everyone.
"Hopefully we can be productive."
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Woods brings plenty of experience to the Titans, after his four seasons (2017-20) with Dallas, one season (2021) with Minnesota and the last three seasons (2022-24) with Carolina. He also brings production – while making 111 starts, he's totaled 616 tackles, 13 interceptions, 47 passes defensed, 11 stops for loss, one sack, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
In 2024, Woods did not miss a defensive snap while starting all 17 games, and he led the league in the category with (1,152) according to TruMedia. He set a career best with 119 tackles and tied his career high with three interceptions.
Woods also brings leadership, and he wants to make his mark with the Titans – on and off the field -- after paying his dues, and learning from others, in the league.
Woods, who turns 30 in July, has no plans of letting up.
"I came in (2017) as a sixth-round draft pick, so nothing was promised," Woods said. "I had to make every opportunity count. I could have been cut and never made it to this point. I probably wasn't supposed to make the team, but every opportunity I got, I made a play. That's just my motto – make a play a day. If I get the opportunity, never give it back. Once I got the opportunity, whether it's starting practice, or starting a game, I think it speaks for itself – I never gave it back. Just being from that standpoint, I just want to earn my teammates' respect, being at a new place, and make the most out of everything.
"I am going into Year 9. As a sixth-round pick, it doesn't happen all the time, especially as a DB. So, every day in this building I am working like it could be my last, because you never know at any moment."
