It didn’t take Jelani Woods long to find a new home. A day after being released by the Indianapolis Colts, the tight end was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. As such, the former third-round draft pick will be added to the New York Jets' 53-man roster.
Because Woods had accrued fewer than four years of service in the NFL, he was subject to the waiver process. Players with more time served become automatic free agents upon release, but Woods, along with all other recently-released players in his category, were available to every other NFL club. Priority was given based on 2024 records, just as in the NFL draft.
The Jets were seventh on the list, which suggests that interest in Woods may well have extended beyond New York. But New York now has him.
Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods looking for a fresh start in the Big Apple
Woods was a very intriguing prospect coming out of Virginia in 2022. His enormous length and wingspan were paired with excellent speed for a big man. He caught 25 passes and scored three touchdowns in his rookie season, but was never ever to build on that due to injury. While he was out, the Colts found other tight ends, culminating in the selection of Tyler Warren in this year’s draft.
With Warren and Mo Alie-Cox serving as a flex and in-line option, respectively, Indy decided to go with Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory as their backup tight ends, leaving Woods without a spot.
The Jets were left with just three tight ends after their final roster moves were announced on Tuesday. Between them, they have started just 21 games and caught 66 passes in the NFL. Woods, despite his limited history, will be one of the elder statesmen in the tight end room.
Rookie Mason Taylor figures to be the Jets' top pass-catching option at tight end, while Stone Smart will back him up. The Jets may see Woods as a big-bodied upgrade over Jeremy Ruckert. The Jets will also use Andrew Block as a fullback who can also fill a hybrid tight end/H-back role.
There was some thought early on that Ruckert, who played with new Jets' QB Justin Fields in college, might find success with their reunion. But Ruckert has not performed well in the preseason.
Fields is not the most accurate of passers, and giving him some big targets for safe throws could prove invaluable. New offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand used tight end Sam LaPorta to great effect in Detroit over the past couple of years. Taylor figures to play that role for the Jets, but Woods, if he can stay healthy, could provide an intriguing option.
And until such time as New York plays Indy, Colts fans will wish their former tight end nothing but the best.