The New York Giants will enter the 2022 NFL draft short on tight ends. They released both Kaden Smith and Kyle Rudolph earlier this offseason, and lost Evan Engram to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, with so many other needs lingering across their roster, the Giants won’t likely target a tight end in either of the first two rounds. Any reinforcements will come in the mid or late rounds.
One potential option is Virginia tight end Jelani Woods, who held a top-30 visit with the Giants on Monday.
Virginia TE Jelani Woods — who tested off the charts 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, per source. He’s met with 20 teams since the combine, including recent #Colts and #Bills workouts.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 18, 2022
Here’s what NFL Network draft guru Lance Zierlein had to say about Woods:
Woods is an ascending in-line tight end with good size and length, but he needs to keep filling out his long frame and getting stronger as a point-of-attack blocker. While he looks lumbering in the early stages of the route, he plays with good physicality throughout and does a nice job of shielding defenders from playing the football. His hands aren’t great as a blocker or pass-catcher and both will need work, but his breakout 2021 could foreshadow more to come as an in-line backup with upside.
With limited options, Woods would likely make an immediate impact for the Giants despite being more a developmental tight end. He would bring enough to the table to add production to an otherwise dry offense, but need to improve his blocking.
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