JT Woods is still hanging on for dear life after disappointing Chargers exit

The Los Angeles Chargers have had their fair share of draft victories over the years.

Virtually all of their cornerstone players— including Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, Justin Herbert, Daiyan Henley, and Derwin James Jr.— were draft picks of the organization from various eras. Joe Hortiz especially has had some strong drafts since he took over as the team's lead executive, re-shaping the organization's depth and continuing to cycle in talent on both sides of the ball.

Every team has its draft busts, though, and the Chargers are no exception. The 2022 draft class stands out in this regard. Apart from CB Deane Leonard, none of Los Angeles' eight selections remain on the roster. Zion Johnson, Jamaree Salyer, and Otito Ogbonnia all departed in free agency this offseason.

But perhaps the most disappointing member of that class, DB JT Woods, has now found a fresh NFL opportunity after two seasons bouncing between practice squads. The New York Giants added Woods after he participated in an eight-player workout earlier last week, and it could represent his first real chance to crack an NFL roster since his Chargers departure.

JT Woods is about to get a surprising opportunity as he enters Year 5 of his NFL career

Coming into the draft, Woods was seen as a potentially versatile and high-upside piece in the secondary, and his speed and ranginess in the deeper parts of the field made him a worthy third-round swing for Los Angeles. He was never able to truly put it together with the Chargers, though.

He played just 31 defensive snaps in 2022 and 60 defensive snaps in 2023 before he was cut by Jim Harbaugh upon his arrival to the organization. That's not a great return on investment for a third-round pick.

He's since bounced between various practice squads over the past two seasons, spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets. He hasn't played an NFL snap since he was with Los Angeles in 2023.

But the Giants need help in the secondary, and that could open up an opportunity for Woods. Nickel cornerback Andru Phillips is suffering from a mild right knee sprain, and New York recently waived former sixth-round selection Jarrick Bernard-Converse. Deonte Banks also remains a cut candidate as he enters his fourth NFL season.

Although the Giants' top three cornerbacks are relatively set in stone with Greg Newsome II, Paulson Adebo, and Colton Hood on the roster, Woods' theoretical ability to play at both safety and cornerback could give him a slight edge in any roster competition over the remainder of training camp.

He'll need to compete with fellow late-offseason signings D.J. James and David Long for a spot on the final 53-man roster, and it's likely that his only real path to snaps in 2026 is as a special-teams contributor. But the Giants might present Woods with his best chance to crack an NFL roster since his departure from Los Angeles, and that's worth keeping an eye on.

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