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5 Potential breakout NFL stars no one sees coming for 2019

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a 40-yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter of the game to make it 54-51 over the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a 40-yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter of the game to make it 54-51 over the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 19, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 12: Xavier Woods (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 12: Xavier Woods (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

4. Xavier Woods, Safety, Dallas Cowboys

Throughout the 2018 offseason and early portion of the regular season, there was a constant rumor that the Dallas Cowboys were going to trade for safety Earl Thomas. Then when the former Seattle Seahawks All-Pro broke his leg, the discussion became all about him signing as a free agent in the offseason.

The talk picked up as the 2019 free agency period approached but Dallas was never realistically going to land Thomas due to his large contract demands. That led to him signing with the Baltimore Ravens and the Cowboys signing George Iloka.

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Throughout all that noise, current Dallas free safety Xavier Woods sat back and listened. He heard how many people wanted Thomas to come in and he took exception to it. Rather than make a big deal out of it, Woods is using it as fuel to have a big season in 2019.

"“I mean, it doesn’t really affect me. Just more of what comes from inside this building, because I was told some things, and then see other things. But I mean, I just felt like that was disrespectful to me. But all in all, I just use it as motivation. I feel like this year is going to be a big year for me. I’m working hard. I mean, I’m dedicated. The guys in the locker room that’s been here (at The Star) over these last couple weeks, month and a half that I’ve been working out here, my focus has just been on a different level.” — Woods say via Josh Clark of 105.3 The Fan"

Woods improved as a player last season as the sixth-round pick moved into a starting role when Byron Jones shifted to cornerback. Woods finished the year with 56 tackles, nine pass defenses, and two interceptions. He was also instrumental in their Week 10 win on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, he broke up a touchdown pass and came up with a critical pass deflection on a third-down play that led to a turnover on downs.

Now motivated for more, Woods has the talent to become a real star in the defensive backfield. As long as he trusts his instincts and knows his job, this former sixth-round pick could become a household name.

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