Chargers fans’ long wait for another pick is finally over, as Los Angeles selected safety JT Woods at No. 79 overall.
The 6’2”, 195 lbs safety started all 23 games across 2020 and 2021 and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in all five years at Baylor. His play in 2021 was enough to garner a Reese’s Senior Bowl invite, where Woods showcased his plus coverage abilities against the draft’s top receivers and tight ends.
Woods clocked a 9.43 RAS score, with elite testing numbers in the 40 (4.36), vertical (39.5”), and broad jump (10’8”).
Woods will be best utilized as a two-high deep safety, where he can rely on his elite closing speed and hit power to decimate opposing receivers. That’s good news for the Chargers, who figure to kick Derwin James down into the box as a true playmaker type and have Woods and Nasir Adderley clean things up on the backend. With six career interceptions, Woods has unusually proficient ball skills for a late bloomer in the Power 5.
Football IQ is still inconsistent with Woods, who has his share of mental lapses on the backend. Hopefully, the coaching of Derrick Ansley and mentoring of James gets Woods into a better spot by the season opener, as he should be in contention for a big role along with Alohi Gilman and Mark Webb. Safety depth was a huge issue for the Chargers in 2021, but Woods provides some insurance should one of James or Adderley miss time.
Woods will also contribute on special teams from the jump, as his natural speed and willingness to collide with ball carriers will be a valuable asset as a punt gunner and kickoff coverage man. So even if he’s slow to see the field as a true safety, he’ll still contribute from day one as a Charger.
