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Giants’ newest signing just exposed an uncomfortable secondary problem
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- Giants’ newest signing just exposed an uncomfortable secondary problem
JT Woods takes part in his first Giants practice after signing.
The Giants signed safety JT Woods on Monday and released defensive lineman Sam Roberts. The timing matters more than the name. Their preseason opener is five days away, and the secondary still has open jobs.
Woods is 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds. The Chargers selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft, but he appeared in only 13 games with one start over two seasons. He recorded eight tackles and also worked on special teams.
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Since leaving Los Angeles , Woods has spent time with the Eagles, Bears, Seahawks, Raiders and Jets. The Giants are his sixth organization in roughly two years. That history makes him a roster long shot, but it also explains why they brought him in now. He has NFL experience and can practice immediately.
JT Woods works through a defensive back drill during his time in Seattle.
The Giants still have a safety job sitting open
The current unofficial depth chart lists Jevon Holland as one starting safety. The other starting line is blank, with Raheem Layne behind it. Beau Brade is listed as Holland's backup.
Woods is not walking into a settled room. The Giants have also dealt with a knee sprain for nickel defender Dru Phillips , which puts even more pressure on the reserve defensive backs to handle multiple assignments.
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I do not expect Woods to take a starting job after one week of practice. He can make the staff more comfortable by lining up correctly, covering kicks and avoiding the communication mistakes that usually show up late in preseason games.
JT Woods gets a short Giants audition
Minnesota visits Saturday, so Woods has almost no time to ease into the defense. His first useful test will come on special teams and with the reserve secondary, where speed and clean tackling matter more than a full command of the playbook.
The college production is still interesting. Woods led the Big 12 with six interceptions during his final season at Baylor and finished his career with nine picks. The athletic traits were enough to make him the No. 79 pick four years ago.
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Now he has to show why that player has not completely disappeared. The Giants needed another safety before their first preseason game. Woods needed a real chance to get on the field. The fit is obvious, even if the roster outcome is not.
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