NFL Draft Landing Spots For Former Utah State LB David Woodward

Apr 14, 2020, 12:15 PM | Updated: 12:20 pm

David Woodward - Utah State Aggies - San Jose State Spartans...

Utah State linebacker David Woodward (9) battles San Jose State tight end Josh Oliver during the Aggies' 62-24 rout of the Spartans on Nov. 10 at Maverik Stadium in Logan. (Courtesy of Deseret News)

(Courtesy of Deseret News)

BY KYLE IRELAND, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

LOGAN, Utah – Former Utah State linebacker David Woodward announced that he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2020 NFL Draft in December 2019 and is now only a couple of weeks away from finding out the next step in his football career.

Woodward announced his decision to leave Logan early and take his talents to the NFL less than a week after his teammate, Jordan Love, made the same decision.

Teams are currently preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft and completing pre-draft interviews with players like Woodward.

Thank you Aggie Nation!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/7ZT0DMfJjg

— David Woodward (@DavidWoodward33) December 16, 2019

The former Utah State LB played in seven games in 2019 before suffering a season-ending injury. During his time on the field last season, Woodward recorded 93 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 pass breakups.

During the 2018 season, Woodward became a star for the Aggies. During that season, he posted 134 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 3 pass breakups.

After NFL free agency, many teams are still in need of a linebacker. Woodward is currently projected to be a mid/late-round draft selection by many analysts including sports.ksl.com’s Sam Farnsworth. In Farnsworth’s Mock Draft 2.0, he has Woodward as a pick in between the fifth and seventh rounds of the NFL Draft.

2020 NFL Draft First-Round Order

Although not every team in the NFL has a first-round pick this season, the subsequent rounds following a similar order to the opening round of the draft. The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft will go in the following order:

Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins
Detroit Lions
New York Giants
Miami Dolphins
Los Angeles Chargers
Carolina Panthers
Arizona Cardinals
Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland Browns
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders
San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis Colts)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Denver Broncos
Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Cowboys
Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers)
Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears)
Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams)
Philadelphia Eagles
Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo Bills)
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans)
Seattle Seahawks
Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans
Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs

Teams without a first-round pick:

Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Los Angeles Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers

These are the teams most likely to select the former Utah State linebacker:

Atlanta Falcons

Picks: Nos. 16, 47, 78, 119, 143, 228

The Falcons are a few years removed from an appearance in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Dan Quinn’s squad, things haven’t gone well since reaching the title game. Atlanta is a little thin at linebacker and Quinn, a former defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, is likely to beef up his defense in pursuit of improving things in 2020.

Baltimore Ravens

Picks: Nos. 28, 55, 60, 92, 106, 129, 134, 170, 225

One of the biggest needs, if not the biggest need for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason is linebacker. The Ravens are stacked on offense but need to balance out their team with some help on defense. Baltimore’s interior defense could use some love during the Draft with a guy like Woodward.

Carolina Panthers

Picks: Nos. 7, 38, 69, 113, 148, 152, 184, 221

The Panthers are one major linebacker short entering the 2020 season with the loss of Luke Kuechly to retirement. Carolina has other pressing needs that they are likely to take care of during the early rounds of the NFL Draft. A late-round selection of a linebacker like Woodward would make a ton of sense for the Panthers.

Cincinnati Bengals

Picks: Nos. 1, 33, 65, 107, 147, 180, 215

After finishing 2019 with the worst record in the NFL, Cincinnati is looking to improve across the board this offseason. Aside from quarterback, one of the biggest needs for the Bengals is at linebacker. A tough player like Woodward could definitely help Cincy turn around from a 2-14 record a season ago.

Cleveland Browns

Picks: Nos. 10, 41, 74, 97, 115, 187, 244

The Browns drafted a local linebacker in former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki during the 2019 Draft. Cleveland is young at linebacker and recently lost Joe Schobert. Woodward could help the Browns improve at a position of need.

Kansas City Chiefs

Picks: Nos. 32, 63, 96, 138, 177

The Chiefs are fresh off of a Super Bowl LIV win but down a linebacker in a Reggie Ragland, who left KC in free agency. Kansas City linebacker Damien Wilson has one season left on his contract. Expect the Chiefs to draft a linebacker or two during the 2020 NFL Draft.

Los Angeles Rams

Picks: Nos. 52, 57, 84, 104, 126, 199, 234

The Rams followed up an appearance in the Super Bowl two seasons ago by missing the playoffs with a disappointing 9-7 record in 2019. Los Angeles is looking to fill multiple holes this offseason including those made by the departures of linebackers Clay Matthews and Cory Littleton. The Rams are without a first-round pick and will try to make their picks count during the later rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Other teams in need of a linebacker: