Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players in team history
By Randy Gurzi
123. . Safety. (1992-2004). Darren Woodson. 11. player
The Dallas dynasty of the 1990s started after they made the historical Herschel Walker trade with the Minnesota Vikings. They obtained a massive collection of draft picks, one of which was used on safety Darren Woodson out of Arizona State. A second-round pick in 1992, Woodson played linebacker in college but transitioned to strong safety in the NFL.
His ability to tackle shone through as he finished his 12-year career with 813 tackles, which are most all-time in the history of America’s Team. It didn’t take long for him to show off his nose for the ball carrier as Woodson had a career-high 155 tackles in 1993, which was his first season as a full-time starter in Big D.
While his skill as a tackler was impressive, “Woody” also excelled in coverage and often lined up in the slot. In addition to being atop the career-tackling list, Woodson is also 11th all-time with 23 career picks as a member of the Cowboys. After not recording an interception in his first two seasons, No. 28 had at least one in every year from 1994 through 2003 — and twice had five in a season.
Woodson was a leader on one of the best defenses of the 1990s and helped Dallas secure their three Super Bowls during that decade. A member of the Cowboys Ring of Honor, Woodson was named to five Pro Bowls but is still awaiting that deserved induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He should get in, but for whatever reason, he has been passed over up to this point.