Pittsburgh cornerback A.J. Woods is an intriguing prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Woods is a twitchy defender who enjoyed a standout showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Monroe was extremely productive for the Panthers, totaling four interceptions and 29 pass breakups.
Woods recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his takeaways from the East-West Shrine Bowl, his upcoming Pro Day, positional versatility, being snubbed from the NFL Combine, and more.
JM: You were a standout performer at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. You consistently made plays in the passing game. What do you think you proved to general managers and scouts in attendance?
A.J. Woods: I honestly think I was able to prove my versatility. Cut on my tape at Pittsburgh and you’ll see that I was able to play a significant number of snaps both inside and outside. I played press-man coverage at boundary corner against bigger receivers. I held my own out there.
I also held smaller, quicker receivers in check at the slot position. I can go man-to-man with those shifty slot receivers at nickel. I showed that throughout the week at the East-West Shrine. I made plays on the ball in practice.
I showcased a lot of versatility. I also showed special teams versatility as well. I played multiple positions on special teams, including gunner. I used speed to play that spot. Speed is a major part of my game.
JM: You had a great career at Pittsburgh. Ball skills were routinely on display through 29 pass breakups. What is it about your game that leads to such great ball production?
A.J. Woods: Pittsburgh is a program that is very well known for producing high-caliber defensive backs. We tend to pan out well at the next level. A lot of us have started very early in our careers.
You can go all the way back to Jordan Whitehead and Avonte Maddox. They’ve done very well. Since I’ve been at Pittsburgh, I was fortunate enough to learn from Dane Jackon, Jason Pinnock, Damar Hamlin, Brandon Hill, Damarri Mathis, and Erick Hallett II. Those are a few guys I played with that are currently in the NFL. They’ve been able to stick on NFL rosters for multiple years.
We play fast and physically. That’s our brand. The coaching staff does a great job preparing us to play football at the next level. We understand how to be successful from a mental aspect as well. We put all of that together.
We do a lot of film study. We do a great job anticipating certain routes and offensive concepts. We recognize certain formations and what they mean on different downs and distances. That helps me become a complete football player. I’ve learned from so many players that have been successful in the league. I’ve gained so much knowledge from our coaching staff. I make a living around the football.
JM: It shows on tape. You’ve learned to play multiple positions from the success stories that came before you. Do you feel like you’ll play the nickel position at the next level? Your size seems best suited to play inside. Is that what teams are telling you?
A.J. Woods: Yeah, I’m hearing the nickel from some teams. I’m also hearing that I’m versatile enough to play outside because so much of my tape at Pittsburgh is at boundary corner. Like I said earlier, I pride myself on my strength being versatility and intelligence for the game.
No matter which position I play on the back end, I’m confident that I’ll be successful. I have a certain skill set that allows me to be successful at multiple positions. I put that on tape at Pittsburgh, and I put it on tape again throughout the all-star game circuit.
Speed, quick feet, and intelligence make me a complete player. I’m very physical for the position as well. I love playing in run support when I’m at the nickel. I can cover bigger receivers on the outside as well. I showed all of that at Pittsburgh, and the Hula Bowl, and at the East-West Shrine.
JM: You’ve had a terrific pre-draft process. You were snubbed from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. How do you plan on responding to that adversity? When is your Pro Day and what are you most looking forward to?
A.J. Woods: My Pro Day is on March 27. I appreciate you saying that I was snubbed from the NFL Combine. Of course, I was hoping to receive that invite. My father and I always watched the combine growing up. You hope to partake someday. I still watched it this year because I had a few teammates and friends in attendance. I was so happy for them and what they accomplished.
I’m big into my faith. God has a plan for me. It wasn’t my time to show the world who I am at the NFL Combine. I’m ready to put up some really great numbers at Pro Day. I plan on putting the world on notice.
JM: You’re going to get that chance. Do you have any Top 30 visits or private workouts coming up? I believe you met with most teams at the Hula and East-West Shrine Bowl. Did you feel some teams showed more interest in you than others?
A.J. Woods: We’re waiting until after Pro Day. That’s the direction we’re taking. A few teams showed good interest in me at the Hula and East-West Shrine Bowl. I’m from Maryland. Some of the local teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders showed me a lot of love.
The Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans showed a lot of interest as well. It was a busy week. I spoke with so many scouts that were happy to see me at the Shrine Bowl after seeing me at Hula. They got a great feel for who I am. I put my story on display. Maybe it wasn’t indicative of one team over the other. It’s always hard to tell.
Those teams definitely showed me some love though. I’m learning a lot throughout this process. My former teammates that have experienced the pre-draft process told me that it might be a team that spoke to me the least that wanted me the most. We’ll see.
JM: I love that answer. I’ve appreciated your time today. What kind of person and player is a team getting when they draft A.J. Woods?
A.J. Woods: You’re going to get a fast, physical, and intelligent defensive back that can play multiple positions on the back end. You’re also going to get a core special teamer. I can play any position on every special teams unit.
I’m versatile. I can wear a ton of hats for the defense and special teams. I think that makes me very useful to an NFL organization.