Roster Move: Bears add intriguing safety JT Woods |
Although the Chicago Bears didn't do much at the deadline apart from trading Khalil Herbert to the Cincinnati Bengals, it hasn't stopped Ryan Poles from adding to the roster in other ways. Those ways may be different from what the fans want to see, but Poles will do what he needs to do to add depth, as he signed not one, not two, but three players in the past two days to practice squad deals.
The latest came on Thursday evening when the Bears added JT Woods to their practice squad. Given the injuries to Kyler Gordon and Jaquon Brisker, along with Tyrique Stevenson's uncertain future, Chicago's depth in the secondary has been tested the past few weeks and will continue to be tested until they are at full strength. That is why you make the depth moves you do, as they can be considered a small insurance policy in case you need them on opening day. Woods is the latest addition to the practice squad, and this move comes with some potential and a whole lot of intrigue. The Los Angeles Chargers took Woods in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Woods was a talented safety during his college days, which is the main reason why he was taken as high as he was in the draft. The former Baylor product was the 79th overall selection of that draft and has logged 13 games of playing experience in the NFL. As a rookie in 2022, Woods played more snaps on special teams (73) than on defense (31) during his 10 games with the team. A year later, Woods played more defensive snaps (60) than special teams plays (16) but was available for only three games. Looking at his play snap breakdown, Woods can play both on special teams and on defense which could come in handy in the coming weeks with Jaylon Jones now injured with a shoulder injury. Not only was Jones inactive against the Cardinals, but he could miss significant time as a trip to the IR could be in store for the DB. That may not be a massive blow to the defense, but it is an enormous blow to special teams, as Jones was one of the best special teams players on the Bears this season. Woods could take over for Jones and fill the special teams void that will be lacking. Known for his speed at the collegiate level, Woods clocked a 4.36 for his 40-yard time and was known for his versatile play style at the safety position with Baylor. Woods has the speed to make plays, and you could see that by his ball-hawking skills, as he came away with nine interceptions during his final two years in school. Not only that, but he was known for delivering big hits, and every team could use some physicality every now and then. As good as his skill set is, there are some concerns, including liability when tracking the deep ball and some indecisiveness when making plays in the field. This is what Lance Zierlein had to say about Woods leading up to the draft. "Long-levered safety with excellent top-end speed and the potential to become a rangy playmaker if he can learn to play with better overall discipline. Woods has too many busted assignments to be trusted in single-high alignments at this time, but offers teams the coverage versatility to be deployed in a variety of spots. If he can play with better decisiveness, he has the length, burst, and striking power to impact catch tries and take the ball away. Woods’ tools are likely to make him a Day 2 pick, but he’ll need to prove that his run support and tackle finishing are on a functional level for the pro game." Still just 24 years old, Woods is an intriguing acquisition for this team's long-term and short-term outlook. He will provide Brisker with some backup depth while also stepping in for Jones, who was one of the team's best special teams players. For whatever reason, things didn't work out for him with the Chargers, but that doesn't mean they won't work out in Chicago, as the Bears are hoping to unlock his true potential.
