The Patriots claimed cornerback Charles Woods off waivers just one day after finalizing the 53-man roster.
After Woods went undrafted in 2024, he signed on with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent and he made their 53-man roster. Over time, he was back and forth on the practice squad and then elevated to the active roster.
Woods played in 12 games for the Rams, mostly as a special teams player. He only logged 13 plays on defense and 169 on special teams.
The Rams waived Woods on Aug. 26, the Patriots claimed him on Aug. 27, and he was at practice in Foxborough on Aug. 28. His agent told him to pack his bags and get to New England.
Thursday leftover: Patriots CB Charles Woods (@c_woods9), who was claimed on waivers from the Rams, shares how it all unfolded and his first impressions in New England. pic.twitter.com/GVs4dYaMAf
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 30, 2025
At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Woods fits the ideal model of a slot corner for this new Patriots defense. He’s great at staying on the hip of receivers and can cover the field laterally over the middle of the defense well to limit those shifty receivers.
Woods has the speed to go step-for-step with wide receivers down the field, but his best work is closer to the line and in press coverage. His coordination and footwork are elite, and they pair well with his speed and quickness, which he clocked 4.48 seconds on the 40-yard dash.
When he’s closer to the line, Woods has great play recognition when he’s closer to the quarterback so that he’s in his line of sight easier and it allows him to read and react more quickly and effectively.
Woods fits as a special package type of player. His speed allows him to get into the backfield to make plays to stop a run or even on a corner blitz to sack the quarterback.
Charles Woods also fits the Vrabel mold for a slot CB from a size and physicality standpoint
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) August 27, 2025
Could've been more consistent as a tackler this preseason, but Woods has inside-out versatility, was competitive in coverage and disruptive vs screens, and flashed as a blitzer pic.twitter.com/eP0VhJ48LA
The Patriots started the offseason by having what looked like one of the best secondaries in the NFL with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis on the corners and Kyle Dugger and Jabril Peppers as the safeties.
With Mike Vrabel, the scheme on defense changed to a more aggressive style. By doing this, it forces the defensive backs to play more in pass coverage as the true qualities of a defensive back to protect the back of the field as the last line of defense.
That said, this style puts both Dugger and Peppers in a precarious position as they’re both more of a big nickel safety that plays down in the box with linebacker characteristics.
This defensive scheme change showed some flaws with their personnel in the secondary and led to the Patriots to shop Dugger. Then in a sudden turn of events, it was Peppers who was released by the team on Friday.
I mention the safety position because as a unit, the defensive backs have swayed from being the top position group on the team. And as the offseason progressed, both Gonzalez and Davis have missed a lot of time managing minor injuries this offseason.
Woods adds depth to a cornerback room that looks to be thin, but he’s likely going to make more of an impact on special teams as a gunner and jammer on the punt teams.
One last note on Woods. Patriots VP of Football Operations and Strategy, John Streicher, was with the Rams in 2024 as their game management coordinator. Streicher, who is known as Vrabel’s right hand man, likely played a strong hand in Woods being in New England.