Former LA Chargers general manager Tom Telesco was known for whiffing on prospects in the mid-rounds of the NFL Draft. With a new regime taking over in 2024, many of those whiffs were quickly shown the door in favor of hand-picked replacements.
One such example of this phenomenon is former third-round pick J.T. Woods. Selected as a developmental prospect in a draft where the Chargers didn't have a second-round pick, Woods never developed and actively hurt the team in the few chances he got. The Chargers did everything they could to make Woods work (including trying him at cornerback), but it was to no avail as he was waived in August.
Woods' future was unclear after short stints on two different practice squads during the 2024 season but he now has his answer on where he will call home to start the 2025 season. The Seattle Seahawks have become the latest team to take a chance on Woods, signing him to a futures/reserve contract this week.
Seahawks sign former Chargers third-round pick JT Woods
It is safe to say the Seahawks are not expecting much out of Woods considering he will be a member of the practice squad fighting tooth and nail just to be in consideration for a roster spot next season. However, it still is nice to see a former Charger land on his feet somewhere.
Woods simply never worked out on the Chargers and it was obvious from the jump it wasn't going to work. The entire vision with Woods was for former head coach Brandon Staley to develop him into a well-rounded defensive back. With Staley unable to pilot a respectable defense, developing Woods became an afterthought.
That's not to say that Woods won't ever find a role somewhere in the NFL. He is athletically gifted and is still only 24 years old. There are plenty of examples of late bloomers in the NFL and Woods has the physical traits to add to that list.
It is unlikely, but it is possible.
Woods and other players like him are the reason the Chargers are in the position they are in. The 2024 season was a rebuilding year with the Bolts significantly surpassing expectations because of great coaching. However, the roster is thin and needs reinforcements to become a true contender in 2025.
If the Chargers didn't whiff on just about every mid-round pick under Telesco then things would be much different. Instead of being on his third practice squad in the last six months, Woods could have been playing a key role in one of the most exciting defenses in the league.
Or at least someone else could have been.