Cowboys release Antwaun Woods after drafting 2 DTs

Updated May. 5, 2021 3:09 p.m. ET

Associated Press

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys released defensive tackle Antwaun Woods on Wednesday, less than a week after drafting two potential replacements for a starter from each of the past three seasons.

Woods had signed a non-guaranteed $2.1 million contract as a restricted free agent last month, so his release won't cost anything against the salary cap.

After giving up a franchise-record 473 points and having the second-worst run defense in the NFL,

Executive vice president Stephen Jones said the club hoped some rookies could replace higher-priced veterans to help with the salary cap, and the 28-year-old Woods is the first example of it.

The Cowboys released five other players as well: cornerbacks Saivion Smith and Kemon Hall, defensive linemen Walter Palmore and Ladarius Hamilton, and center Adam Redmond.

Dallas drafted a pair of defensive tackles in UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna of Kentucky. While Odighizuwa's build could be a fit for a rush end, Bohanna is a prototypical interior defensive lineman at 327 pounds.

The Cowboys also are expecting contributions from their top draft pick of two years ago, Trysten Hill. The 2019 second-rounder was a disappointment as a rookie but was off to a solid start last season before a torn knee ligament ended his season.

The 318-pound Woods started 32 of 39 games over three seasons for the Cowboys, who signed him during the 2018 offseason after Tennessee waived him. The 28-year-old Woods was undrafted out of Southern California in 2016. Woods has 83 tackles and 2½ sacks in his career.

___

More AP NFL coverage: