The Chargers addressed the secondary with their pick of former Baylor safety JT Woods at No. 79 overall.
At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, Woods posted elite testing numbers of a 4.36 40 and 39.5-inch vertical jump.
Baylor safety JT Woods drops a 4.38 40-yard dash pic.twitter.com/YWKHrfDXOW
— Colt Barber (@Colt_Barber) March 6, 2022
Woods recorded six interceptions last season for the Bears, showing just how much he can do with his hands.
These highlights exemplify his good ball skills and play-making ability:
First-career INT for JT Woods sets the Bears up for their first points of the game.#SicEm pic.twitter.com/oU7bUQKJmd
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) October 3, 2020
JT Woods remains a ballhawk as he grabs the INT in the @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/YB8FctQNAO
— Colt Barber (@Colt_Barber) February 5, 2022
JT!!!! JT Woods (Steele '18) with his 5th INT of the season!! #Recruit210@Jtwoods_7@Football_Steele @Coach_Lehnhoff @SteeleAthletics pic.twitter.com/qBtURZ3NFQ
— CountdownCityPreps (@210Preps) January 2, 2022
Woods is an incredible rangy safety who can cover a lot of ground in a hurry.
Baylor's defense plays so fast and gets downhill in a hurry. JT Woods shows an extra gear compared to everyone else.
He has the range to play single high and was a playmaker form that position.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/WjivQWhNI9
— Ryder McConville (@RyderM25) March 6, 2022
#Baylor safety JT Woods showing off his coverage ability and athleticism. #SicEm #NFLDraft2022 pic.twitter.com/xYJJ6hY1UK
— Baylor Bears on SicEm365 (@SicEm365) March 30, 2022
JT Woods
6016/195lbs
4.36
39.5in vert —-
His 40 speed transitions to the tape. Love how he closes in on the ball carrier. pic.twitter.com/kQEiJMSqzw— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) March 7, 2022
While he isn’t known for his tackling prowess, Woods comes downhill, puts his pads down, and crushes receivers over the middle.
He can hit too! JT Woods is balling right now. Potential forced fumble being reviewed pic.twitter.com/XNIyQGCyiY
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) January 2, 2022
The third safety, JT Woods with the nice close and hit. pic.twitter.com/1FHS9T4RPC
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) December 6, 2021
He had 57 tackles and eight passes defended to go with all those picks last season.
Woods has concerns as a tackler, as he falls off too many but there are plenty of positives to his game.
– Explosive and lengthy athlete with speed & range to erase the entire field
– Ball skills to pluck passes out of the air
– Could match up against tight ends
– Good pre-snap communicator
– Eyes to play through traffic
He could be a cornerback convert if he can’t improve as a tackler, but I trust the development from the coaches. If everything clicks, Woods has the potential to be a good one to play single-high and lock down the deep parts of the field in this league.