Tom Telesco's resume in the NFL Draft as the LA Chargers GM was not pretty. While Telesco found some impressive talent in the first round, the former GM often struggled to consistently find impact players later in the draft. When he did, he rarely signed them past their rookie contract.
Even with a new regime in place and a new head coach, the Chargers are still feeling the ripple effect of these poor draft decisions. One of those decisions is safety JT Woods, who was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and still has not carved out a role for himself in the NFL.
This season's training camp is extremely important for Woods, who needs to take a step up and prove to the new coaching staff and regime he deserves a roster spot. It does not look like the former Baylor Tiger is doing that, however, as he has been usurped by a player who went undrafted a year after him: AJ Finley.
Chargers DC Jesse Minter on AJ Finley: "He is right now elevated into that third safety role."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 8, 2024
JT Woods continues freefall down LA Chargers roster
This should not come as a big surprise to fans who have paid attention to Chargers training camp as Finley has been great thus far. Finley always had a good chance of making the roster because of his special teams impact and now he is seeing an elevated role on defense.
This is obviously bad news for Woods, who is competing not just with Finley for that third safety spot but with veteran Tony Jefferson. The Chargers signed Jefferson after working him out in minicamp and while he has not played a full, impactful season since 2018, he has a decent chance of making the roster.
Jefferson has ties to both general manager Joe Hortiz and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. His relationship with both men could aid in him getting a roster spot, especially as a veteran in a mostly inexperienced secondary.
That would leave Woods with nowhere to go, likely resulting in him getting cut and missing the 53-man roster. He would join Tre' McKitty as a recent third-round pick by the Chargers to get cut before the end of his third season.
All of this makes the preseason extremely important for Woods and his career in the NFL. It is clear he is not doing enough in practice to earn his keep but the position battle is not over. If Woods can turn heads during actual preseason action then the Chargers' coaching staff may change its tune on the safety position.
But then again, with how Woods has played his first two years in the league, it seems unlikely he will be able to do that.