Indianapolis Colts player has the potential to make an impact

admin | December 18, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Jelani Woods has yet to play a game this season due to injury. However, he has the potential to become a star with the Indianapolis Colts.

If you’re not a big fan of the Indianapolis Colts, you might have forgotten about Jelani Woods. This year, the second-year tight end has yet to play in a regular-season game. He saw limited action as a rookie last season. However, once he returns to the pitch, he has the potential to become one of the team’s top players.

The Colts’ roster is currently packed with talented young players in their twenties. On the list are quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor, and wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Woods is also in that category, but the NFL hasn’t seen much of him yet.

Jelani Woods Could Become an Impact Player For the Indianapolis Colts

Spotlighting Jelani Woods’ Career So Far

Woods’ collegiate career began at Oklahoma State. He was there for three years and caught 31 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns.

For his final year, the Georgia native switched to Virginia. After recording 44 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns, he was selected first-team All-ACC. The Colts later chose him in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

During Week 3 of the 2022 season, Woods’ Colts defeated the eventual Super Bowl winner Kansas City Chiefs. Woods scored his first two touchdowns of his career in the 20-17 triumph. Woods’ eight-reception, 98-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12 was another rookie year highlight. He ended the season with 25 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns.

Woods has been on injured reserve this season after tearing a hamstring during training camp. He later strained his second hamstring and would most likely miss the rest of the season.

Major Building Block in the Colts’ Rebuilding Plan?

Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory, and Mo Alie-Cox round out the tight end corps for the Colts. However, the physically gifted Woods has the greatest promise of the group. Although he only played 334 snaps last season, Woods showed flashes of greatness at times.

Woods has good size for an NFL tight end, standing 6’7″ and weighing 253 pounds. He can also run, as seen by his 4.61-second forty-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

During his first year as head coach in Indianapolis, Shane Steichen has done an outstanding job. Under his direction, the Colts have an 8-6 record and are a playoff possibility. That’s especially impressive considering they’re missing their franchise quarterback, Richardson, for the season. In addition, Taylor has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, and the squad has had to contend with a few suspensions.

The young Colts are putting together something remarkable. They might just make the playoffs this year, but this team has the potential to be very dangerous next year. The sky is the limit with a healthy Richardson and Taylor to go along with Pittman Jr., Downs, and DeForest Buckner. And if Jelani Woods has a big season in 2024, Indianapolis might be one of the top seeds in the AFC following year.