Giants get top tight end prospect who ‘tried off the rosters’ – Home

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Getty The New York Giants welcomed tight end prospect Jelani Woods, who “went off the rosters,” according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.

It’s no secret that the New York Giants are in the market for a tight end after losing Evan Engram in free agency and firing Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith this offseason.

And even though they signed Ricky Seals-Jones on March 18, it sounds like general manager Joe Schoen is looking to add a prospect at tight end during the upcoming NFL draft.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Giants hosted University of Virginia tight end Jelani Woods for a visit on April 18.

Virginia TE Jelani Woods, who tested off the rosters at 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, is in New York on a “Top 30” visit with the #Giants today before visiting the #Falcons on Wednesday, according to the source. . She has met with 20 teams since the combine, including recent #Colts and #Bills workouts.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 18, 2022

As Pelissero added, Woods has “tested off the charts” at 6″7, 275lbs. Woods has worked with around 20 teams so far, also recently meeting with the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts. He will have another visit with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday, April 20.

During the NFL combine in February, Woods ran a 4.61 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds a total of 24 times.

Tight end is currently an obvious area of ​​need on the Giants’ roster, as the only players at the position who are under contract include Seals-Jones, Jake Hausmann, Rysen John and Chris Myarick.

Woods produced a strong final campaign with Virginia last season, making the All-ACC first team after posting 44 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games in 2021.

Projection

Woods’ overall size and length make him an attractive prospect at tight end in this year’s draft.

His height, large frame, and above-average hands also make him an excellent red zone target. According to Bleacher Report’s scouting department, Woods is an above-average blocker from inline positions and has extended receiving range due to the length of him.

Among Woods’ negatives, as Bleacher Report noted, are his long legs, which hamper his ability to sink his hips while blocking or running shorter routes. Also, Woods isn’t a player who will create a significant amount of yardage with the ball in his hands. However, he has a good build speed for medium and deep lanes.

According to Bleacher Report, Woods could become a top-tier starter or backup. He is projected to be a third-round pick in the NFL draft and is best compared to retired tight end Martellus Bennett, who played for the Giants in 2012 and made the Pro Bowl in 2014 with the New England Patriots.

Additional TE Perspectives

Beyond Woods, who Bleacher Report considers the fifth-best tight end in the draft, the Giants could pursue a few different names, who can potentially come in and compete for playing time in 2022.

As The New York Post’s Paul Schwartz reported, the Giants are expected to select a tight end with one of their latest draft picks to come in and challenge Seals-Jones.

This year’s draft class isn’t considered strong for tight ends, which is why ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the first two players at this position coming off the board late in the second round. Kiper’s top two tight end prospects are Colorado State’s Trey McBride and UCLA’s Greg Dulcich.

McBride, who is 6″4 and 260 pounds, only recorded one touchdown a season ago with Colorado State. But the 22-year-old caught 90 passes for 1,121 yards and averaged 12.5 receiving yards. As for Dulcich, he had 42 receptions for 725 yards and five touchdowns with the Bruins, while averaging 17.3 receiving yards in 2021.

Besides McBride and Dulcich, the next two highest-ranked tight end prospects, according to NFL.com, are Jalen Wydermyer and Jeremy Ruckert.

Wydermyer spent the last three seasons at Texas A&M and made the All-SEC second team in three consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2021.

As for Ruckert, the 21-year-old caught 12 touchdowns in three seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, Ruckert was unable to participate in running practices at the NFL Combine or on his pro day due to a foot injury.

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Giants get top tight end prospect who ‘tried off the rosters’ – Home