Gang Green Nation
The Jets claimed tight end Jelani Woods at the start of the season and he has been seeing action in the past few games for the team. Today we break Woods down in detail.
The 27-year old Woods is listed at 6’7″ and 253 pounds and was a third round pick out of Virginia in 2022. After a promising rookie season in which he caught 25 passes, including three touchdowns, Woods did not play in 2023 and 2024 due to injury. The Jets claimed him after final cuts and he has played in three games for them, albeit without recording a catch so far.
Background
Woods was a pro-style quarterback in high school, but he redshirted his first year at Oklahoma State, during which he was used as a scout team tight end. That went well enough that the coaches proposed a position change, which Woods agreed to.
Over the next three seasons, Woods was primarily used as a blocker but did catch 31 passes in 34 games, racking up over 350 yards and three touchdowns. In 2018 and 2019, he was named as an all-Big 12 honorable mention.
Ahead of the 2021 season, Woods opted to transfer to Virginia as a graduate transfer and they expanded his role. He racked up 44 catches for 598 yards and eight touchdowns and earned all-ACC first team recognition.
Having announced he would enter the 2022 NFL draft, Woods improved his stock with some good workout numbers and was widely considered a potential day two pick. The Colts selected him in round three and he played in 15 games as a rookie, starting two.
In those games, Woods caught 25 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. That included a game against the Chiefs where he had two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
Expectations were high that Woods would build on that, but he missed the entire 2023 season and didn’t play in 2024 either due to injury. In preseason this year, he caught seven passes for 75 yards in three games but it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot on the 53, so when he was waived, the Jets claimed him.
With the Jets considered weak at the tight end position, it was hoped Woods could provide an upgrade but he’s been unable to crack the rotation. Until last week, he had been a healthy scratch for most of the season, having played just one offensive snap.
However, in the past two weeks, he has had a chance to contribute due to Mason Taylor’s injury. Despite not catching a pass yet, Woods has had some positive plays as a blocker.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Woods brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Woods is an imposing figure, who looks the part, although it’s been said he could perhaps benefit from adding some weight. He has long arms and a huge wingspan, albeit that his hands are a below average...
