Two former Colts early-mid round draft picks have already been claimed off waivers by new NFL teams.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, both recently released former Indianapolis Colts cornerback JuJu Bents and tight end Jelani Woods were claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets respectively.
Along with Samuel Womack III, who was claimed by the Tennessee Titans, Brents and Woods were two of Indianapolis’s biggest initial 53-man roster cuts on Tuesday.
Originally a 2023 2nd round pick of the Colts, the long-armed, highly athletic 6’3,” 198 pound Brents, a local Warren Central High School standout, couldn’t seemingly stay healthy on the field for Indianapolis. He was limited to just 11 games in his first two seasons and wasn’t a natural scheme fit in new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s coverage scheme.
During his two seasons in Indianapolis, Brents finishes his short-lived Colts’ career with 50 tackles (33 solo), an interception, 6 passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during 11 games (9 starts).
He ultimately was beat out by undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards, and the Colts brought in outside reinforcements, including Xavien Howard and Mekhi Blackmon, as better scheme fits for Anarumo to boost an injury depleted cornerback room.
Brents and fellow backup cornerback Samuel Womack III were released Tuesday as part of initial 53-man cuts.
Meanwhile, injuries have also derailed former Colts 2022 4th round pick Jelani Woods’ early pro career, who hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since his rookie season back that same year.
The mammoth sized 6’7,” 253 pound tight end had a promising enough start to his pro career in 2022, catching 25 receptions for 312 total receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions during 15 games (2 starts). However, he suffered season-ending hamstring injuries the year after (2023) and missed all of last season (2024), recovering from toe surgery.
In a crowded tight end room, Woods fell behind rookie first round pick Tyler Warren, veteran Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, and even Will Mallory. He was playing late into preseason games, which didn’t bode well for his chances of making the Indianapolis 53-man roster, and he was drafted by the prior head coaching regime—arguably not being as strong of a fit in Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s offensive system.
We wish both players well in their future professional football careers!
Category: General Sports
