One of the surprising players in Jets training camp has been tight end Jelani Woods.
The fifth-year player has struggled in an injury-filled career but he has stood out during Jets camp. Part of it may be him reuniting with Frank Reich, who was the head coach of the Colts when they drafted Woods in 2022.
Woods was claimed off waivers by the Jets last year after the Colts cut him at the end of training camp. He spent the year with the Jets but only appeared in four games, catching one pass. When the Jets made a change at offensive coordinator and brought in Reich, Woods, who was scheduled to hit free agency, knew he wanted to return to the Jets.
“I think I called my parents and I was like let me see what the Jets want to do,” Woods said. “Once my agent [worked it out] I said perfect, I can’t wait to get up there with coach Frank.”
Woods is in a talent-rich tight end room with first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq and 2025 second-round pick Mason Taylor.
He has been helping his teammates learn Reich’s offense but he also has made an impression in practice himself.
“I love Jelani,” Reich said. “I guess I love that whole room, but Jelani’s super talented and I obviously was a part of drafting him in Indy. He is, first of all, he’s an explosive blocker. He can block the point of attack. He’s long and he’s fast. People don’t realize how fast he is once he gets the ball in his hands. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands, that’s what I remember from his college tape and even the one year we were together in Indy. When he catches the ball, he’s a big man and he can run. And he’s smart. Jelani is like wicked smart. And so, I think he has helped that tight end room learn certain aspects of this offense knowing what we want to do.”
Jets LB Kiko Mauigoa will get to see his brother Sisi very soon. The Giants selected Sisi Mauigoa in the first round this year. The brothers will face off in the third preseason game between the Jets and the Giants. Kiko said it will be the first time they have faced each other in a game.
As you can expect, much of their family will be there. What happens in the regular season when both brothers are playing in different places?
“I told them they’ve got one home stadium,” Kiko Mauigoa said. “They can come every Sunday. Whoever’s at home, they can come watch that game every single Sunday so they don’t have to go anywhere.”
