If you’re not a huge Indianapolis Colts fan, you might’ve forgotten all about Jelani Woods. The second-year tight end has yet to appear in a regular season game this year. He was used sparingly as a rookie a season ago. Yet, he might end up developing into one of the team’s top players once he returns to the field.
Right now, the Colts’ roster is full of talented young players in their 20s. The list includes guys like quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor, and the wide receiver duo of Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Woods is also a part of that group although the NFL world hasn’t seen a lot of him yet.
Jelani Woods Could Become an Impact Player For the Indianapolis Colts
Spotlighting Jelani Woods’ Career So Far
Woods began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. He played three years there, catching 31 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns.
The Georgia native transferred to Virginia for his senior season. He was named first-team All-ACC after producing 44 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns. He was later selected by the Colts in the third round (73rd overall pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Woods’ Colts upset the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs during Week 3 of the 2022 season. In the 20-17 victory, Woods scored the first two touchdowns of his career. Another rookie year highlight was Woods’ eight-reception, 98-yard outing versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. He finished the year with 25 catches for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Woods has spent this season on injured reserve after pulling a hamstring during training camp. He later injured his other hamstring and will likely miss the remainder of the year.
Major Building Block in the Colts’ Rebuilding Plan?
The Colts have a solid group tight end corps that also consists of Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory, and Mo Alie-Cox. But, the physically gifted Woods has the most potential in the group. Although he only saw the field for 334 snaps last year, Woods did show flashes of greatness at times.
Listed at 6’7″ and 253 pounds, Woods possesses great size for an NFL tight end. He can also run as he posted a 4.61-second forty time at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Head coach Shane Steichen is doing a phenomenal job during his first year in Indianapolis. Under his leadership, the overachieving Colts own an 8-6 record and are a playoff contender. That’s very impressive, especially since they’re without their franchise quarterback, Richardson, for the season. Plus, Taylor has been in and out of the lineup due to injury and the team has dealt with a couple of suspensions.
The young Colts are building something special. They just might sneak into the playoffs this season, but next year this squad could be really dangerous. With a healthy Richardson and Taylor to go along with the likes of Pittman Jr., Downs, and DeForest Buckner, the sky is the limit. And if Jelani Woods can have a breakout 2024 campaign, Indianapolis may emerge as one of the top seeds in the AFC next year.
Main Image: Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
