Indianapolis Colts: Devastating Injury Creates Opportunity for Intriguing Rookie

The Indianapolis Colts have a brand new quarterback in Matt Ryan, and the large query is, who will his major weapons be in 2022? We find out about Jonathan Taylor within the backfield and Michael Pittman Jr., and second-round decide Alec Pierce at extensive receiver. The tight finish spot remains to be up within the air, although. Undrafted rookie Drew Ogletree appeared like he might win the job, however after his devastating harm, third-round decide Jelani Woods now has an enormous alternative.

Jelani Woods might now be the Indianapolis Colts beginning tight finish

The star of Indianapolis Colts coaching camp was Drew Ogletree. The undrafted TE out of Youngstown State was tearing up Colts coaching camp and shortly making a reputation for himself in his first season of professional soccer.

Sadly for Ogletree and the Colts, the younger pass-catcher tore his ACL in observe and is now on IR for the 2022 season.

Jelani Woods is a 6-foot-7, 253-pound tight finish from Virginia. He was a top-25 quarterback prospect popping out of highschool in Georgia however moved to TE after signing with Oklahoma State, per NFL.com. Woods was a Large 12 all-conference honorable point out in his first 12 months enjoying the place however ultimately transferred to UVA.

As a Cavalier, Woods grew to become a first-team All-ACC participant in 2021 with 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns.

On the NFL Mix, the large man ran a 4.6 40-yard sprint and put up 24 bench press reps. That was probably the most of any participant at his place. This led to the Colts taking him No. 73 total.

With Ogletree happening, Woods is now competing with incumbent veteran Mo Alie-Cox to be Matt Ryan’s major TE. Alie-Cox is a four-year veteran. Nonetheless, he’s by no means had greater than 31 catches, 4 touchdowns, or over 391 yards in a season.

Whereas not fairly as spectacular as Ogletree, Woods has additionally turned heads. His play has drawn reward from head coach Frank Reich, and Woods caught a TD towards the Buffalo Payments within the first preseason recreation.

If Woods continues to study the playbook and improves his blocking sufficient to assist Jonathan Taylor dominate once more this 12 months, the Indianapolis Colts could have an extremely thrilling younger tight finish.

And if that’s the case, when Ogletree will get again in 2023, the franchise might have two.

All stats courtesy of Professional Soccer Reference

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