Josh Woods has been with the Atlanta Falcons for the last two seasons now, but he's the furthest thing from a household name. He appeared in just 17 games for the team across the last two seasons, but returned to Flowery Branch on July 30 when the Falcons released DT Ross Blacklock.
When he first signed back, no one really bat an eye over the return over a guy who mainly plays special teams, but three weeks later, he's starting to make a strong impression. In the preseason opener, he was one of the only winners of a game where the Falcons got thrashed 27-7 by Denver.
In 38 defensive snaps, Woods recorded a team-high six tackles (tied with Sydney Brown), and a TFL. He mostly came in to play run defense, but he was also out there for 21 coverage snaps. And it doesn't end there, as he also took reps with the first-team defense during Monday's practice session.
Josh Woods is making a real campaign to make the Atlanta Falcons' roster
According to Pro Football Focus, the 30-year-old recorded a 54.6 PFF grade and a 45.0 run defense grade, but he mostly shined as a tackler. Josh Woods' 80.3 tackling grade placed second on the Falcons only behind Brown, which is an impressive anecdote for a player fighting for a roster spot.
And since he got some run with the starters with Divine Deablo sidelined, that's another telling update. To this point. rookies Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. have gotten most of the first-team reps in his absence, but Christian Harris has mixed in too. But Woods has never got that consideration until now, after his strong impression.
The Dirty Birds already cut Troy Andersen and considering Channing Tindall has faded into the background in camp, it doesn't feel like there's much competition for the veteran journeyman. He has the benefit of experience within the facility (and with the defensive staff), which is compounded by a strong first impression on the new regime.
Kevin Stefanski has spoke all offseason about the importance of earning jobs, and a big part of that has been bringing in his own guys. But he's not going to be blindly loyal to the players he brings in when he's all about choosing the best man for every given job--and right now that is Josh Woods.
As it stands currently, the Maryland product is in line to be the LB5 behind Deablo, Harris, Daniels, and Perkins. It should come down to Woods and JD Bertrand, and we all saw the coverage liability that Betrand can be last season--so Ulbrich may want to roll with Woods.
At this point, it's starting to look more and more like Josh Woods is a roster lock, especially after he was listed ahead of Tindall and on the same level as Bertrand on the second unofficial depth chart. The next step is sustaining this early momentum joint practices and the final two preseason games.
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