For the first time in a very long time, there’s some reason for optimism among Jets fans when looking at what Gang Green has cooking on the offensive side of the football. It appears wide receiver Garrett Wilson will finally have a viable number two receiver across from him as rookie Omar Cooper will pair with veteran AD Mitchell to draw some coverage their way.
Then of course there are two promising young tight ends in Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq, another first-round pass catcher the Jets added this offseason. But could there be an option at tight end who is currently being overlooked?
As offensive coordinator Frank Reich readies for his first season of calling plays at MetLife Stadium, one of his former draft picks will be fighting for a roster spot in tight end Jelani Woods.
While at the helm for the Colts in Indianapolis back in 2022, Indy used their 73rd overall pick to select the 6′ 7” Woods out of Virginia. In his first season with the Colts, Woods showed some promise. In a backup role, the massive tight end found the end zone three times and racked up 312 yards on 25 catches.
Unfortunately for Woods, he would miss each of the next two seasons due to injury but signed with the Jets last season as he tried to work his way back onto the field. He did manage to suit up for a few reps late in the season, playing 59 snaps from weeks 14-16. He had just one catch for four yards, but could be a starting point to a turnaround for the injury prone Woods?
With teams increasingly deploying three tight ends at a time, could we see more clubs carry an extra tight end on their 53-man roster? Taylor, Sadiq, Woods and Jeremy Ruckert would likely make the roster if the Jets opt to go in that direction, and Reich’s understanding of what a healthy Woods can so sure wouldn’t hurt.
