According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts have signed Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Al Woods to a 2-year, $5 million deal.
The 29 year old figures to add defensive line depth to the Colts–although he appears to be more of a 3-4 defensive end than natural nose tackle at first glance:
The #Colts signed DL Al Woods, formerly of the #Titans, per @_SportsTrust. More depth & competition in Indy. 2-year contract worth $5M total
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2017
The 6’4″, 307 pound defensive lineman appeared in 12 games (7 starts) for the Titans last season, recording 18 tackles.
Per Pro Football Focus (subscription), Woods received only a +46.1 grade overall this past season as an ‘interior defender’.
Initially a 2010 4th round pick of the New Orleans Saints, the 7-year veteran has also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010), Seattle Seahawks (2011), Pittsburgh Steelers (2011-13), and most recently, the Tennessee Titans (2014-16).
Woods has 63 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 passes defensed in 81 career games (19 starts).
While Woods won’t be confused with Dontari Poe anytime soon, it does appear that he’ll add rotational depth to the Colts defensive line. Such a move shouldn’t preclude a Poe signing regardless.
It’s the second signing for the Colts along the defensive line this week, as the team already signed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Margus Hunt.
With Poe still weighing his free agent suitors–including the Colts, it’s a fair question of whether the Kansas City Chiefs star nose tackle could soon join them.
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Either way, Woods appears to be a reliable veteran, who could prove to be a serviceable spot-starter for the Colts defensive line if called upon. Having let rotational defensive lineman Zach Kerr leave in free agency last week, the Colts could use some additional depth in the trenches.
New general manager Chris Ballard promised to add competition to the Colts 53-man roster this offseason, but only this time around, it’s a veteran player in Woods who’s been added to the fray.