Former Patriots star reveals why this rookie-veteran duo has made New England’s defense “special”

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Former Patriots star reveals why this rookie-veteran duo has made New England’s defense “special”

Karen Guregian · MassLive

Thu, Jan 22, 2026 ·

3 min read

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FOXBOROUGH - Craig Woodson has a not-so-secret admirer signing his praises.

Former Patriots safety Devin McCourty, a three-time Super Bowl-winner with the team, is a big fan of the rookie defensive back.

Watching how good Woodson has been, how quickly he’s emerged at safety initially “shocked” McCourty.

“When I moved (to safety) my third year, it was such a transition for me because of how much communication and how much in charge you are of the back end,” McCourty told MassLive. “I knew this kid was a baller when Jaylin Hawkins got hurt and he went out there playing 90-something percent of the snaps. He’s a rookie, and everything was on him.”

During one visit with NBC Sports, McCourty, a commentator for NBC’s Football Night in America, interviewed Woodson and came away impressed by the maturity and focus of the Patriots fourth-round pick.

McCourty totally understood the dynamic between Woodson and Hawkins, who both attended Cal. He had that same connection with former RPI teammate Duron Harmon when both eventually landed in Foxborough.

“You could tell how cool it was for him coming and playing in the secondary with Hawkins because they went to school together,” McCourty said. “There’s a trust and kind of a big brother factor when he’s out there with Hawkins. It reminds me of when Duron Harmon got there, and we got on the field together.”

Watching him Sunday in the divisional round win against the Houston Texans , McCourty saw a rookie who played like a veteran. Woodson, who had five tackles, an interception, three passes defensed, and a quarterback hit, was never out of position.

“He’s in the right position so much. He’s so consistent,” McCourty said. “I knew eventually you’d be watching these games, and he was going to be making plays all over the field. And I thought Sunday was that.”

McCourty believes Hawkins and Woodson have both had “great” years leading the Patriots secondary to an AFC Championship encounter with Denver at Empower Field on Sunday. They’ve evolved into a dynamic safety duo.

“I’m kind of biased, but I think good safety play can change the way a defense can play because it allows everything to have symmetry for the linebackers, the secondary, for everyone to be on the same page,” McCourty said. “I think those two guys have really made this defense special.”

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