The NFL Draft is a couple of weeks away and prospects from Virginia are looking to hear their names called. Buzz is starting to get around the league for a few former Cavaliers as they have received interest from various scouts and have visited potential teams in the pre-draft process. After the NFL Combine, it seemed that one Cavalier was destined to be selected, but recent hype suggests it may not end there.
Jelani Woods, 6’7”/253 pounds, Tight end
Tight end Jelani Woods is the headliner for the Virginia draft prospects. He used his size (6’7”, 253 pounds) to outmuscle smaller defenders, which allowed him to become a dangerous red-zone threat for a pass-happy offense. He was Brennan Armstrong’s safety valve, but he was also dangerous when he went through the seams of the opposing defense. Woods’ versatility made it tough for teams to game plan against him, as he was a sound blocker and could line up on the line or standing up next to the receivers.
Before Woods arrived in Charlottesville, he played three seasons for Oklahoma State. While in Stillwater, Woods was utilized more as a blocker than a receiver. He was part of the 2019 offensive line that blocked for the FBS leader in rushing yards, Chuba Hubbard. Woods was a two-time All-Big XII honorable mention, but he was still without a role in the passing game. At the end of his stint, he compiled 361 yards and 4 touchdowns on 31 catches at OSU.
After transferring to Virginia, his time in Bronco Mendenhall and Robert Anae’s system enabled Woods to showcase his hands as a receiver compared to solely as a blocker. In his final season of college ball, he broke out in a big way. He posted 598 yards on 44 receptions, while also adding 8 touchdowns. That was just one touchdown short of Heath Miller’s program record for a tight end. Woods’ yardage and scoring marks led all ACC tight ends. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors and was also ACC Wide Receiver of the Week for his performance against Illinois, where he racked up a career-high 122 yards.
Woods received an invite to the NFL Combine, and he showed out. Scouts loved his frame as a big-body tight end, but he turned heads with his athleticism in the drills. His 4.61 40-yard time ranked second among the tight ends behind only Maryland’s Chigoziem Okonkwo, and his bench press (24 reps) ranked first. At Virginia’s Pro Day, his vertical jump (37.5”), broad jump (10’9”), 20-yard shuttle (4.2 seconds), and 3-cone drill (6.78) would have bested all tight end marks set at the Combine.
To further illustrate how impressive Woods was, he scored a perfect 10 on the Relative Athletic Score (RAS). His score ranks first out of 998 tight end prospects since 1987. His performance has shot his name up draft boards, as he was projected to be a Day 3 pick, but now he could be hearing his name called as early as the third round.
In recent news, the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders have held visits with Woods as part of their Top 30 visits. Some scouts are concerned with his experience at the position. In high school, Woods was recruited as a quarterback before Oklahoma State decided it would better for him to make the position change. Along with this, Woods will be entering the NFL as a 24-year old rookie, which is not ideal for a raw prospect and could lower his ceiling. However, he will be an intriguing developmental project with gobs of potential. The skill set he offers will make it difficult for general managers to pass up on Woods. For a team searching for a big-bodied tight end that can both catch and block, he would be a big help.
Joey Blount, 6’2”/205 pounds, Safety
Another player who is fielding interest from NFL teams is Joey Blount. For his career at UVA, he finished with 306 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 9 interceptions. Last season, he was second in total tackles (87) and tied Nick Jackson for the most solo tackles (54) on the Virginia defense. He also shared the team lead in interceptions with Anthony Johnson (3).
He was awarded with his second All-ACC Third-Team selection (his first being in 2019) for being a vital contributor for the Cavaliers. Blount was asked to play all over the field, as he lined up as a deep safety, in the slot, or in the box. He was known for his high energy play on the field, which will definitely go over well for whoever picks him up.
While 31 teams attended the Virginia Pro Day, many were presumably there to see Woods after his results at the Combine. As mentioned earlier, he backed up the results. At the same time, his teammates used this exposure opportunity to make some noise, and Blount was one of those winning over the scouts. Blount ran the 40 in an eye-catching a 4.38. He continued to show off his quickness and athleticism through his 3-cone drill (6.76 seconds) and vertical (38”). His Pro Day combined with his play at the Hula Bowl, which included a game-sealing interception, have opened some eyes around the league.
Teams have reached out to Blount through their Top 30 visits, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, and Baltimore Ravens. The Atlanta Falcons have also held pre-draft meetings with Blount, along with a private workout. With some teams either searching for a safety to fill a hole or become a replacement, he may be on their radars more than before the Pro Day performance. He could end up sneaking into the Draft as a late Day 3 pick, and it seems more likely that he will be on an NFL roster in some capacity with the interest he is receiving.
Nick Grant, 6’3”/185 pounds, defensive back
Nick Grant has also garnered some attention in the pre-draft process. He finished his Virginia career with 138 tackles and 4 interceptions, including a pick-six. Last season, he tallied 50 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. In his first couple of seasons, Grant was utilized more as a special teamer. However, his last three seasons have allowed him to take on a greater role as a defensive back, starting games as both a cornerback and safety. Grant will likely be picked up as a safety, but his experience at cornerback gives him crucial versatility to line up on different spots on the field.
Like Woods, Grant received an invite to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Recently, the Denver Broncos held a Top 30 visit for Grant, which illustrates that there is some interest in him. With Grant being a safety/cornerback hybrid, it gives him more opportunities at the next level. His experience with special teams gives him another advantage, as coaches are always looking to make improvements there and with limited roster spots in the NFL, it’s always useful to have players that can fill multiple roles. Grant brings versatility that some franchises may deem too valuable to pass up.
These three prospects all bring flexibility that is a positive at the next level. Woods has received more interest from around the league because of his size, athleticism, and playing style that should translate nicely with the help of NFL coaches. Blount’s athleticism and high motor has allowed him to shoot up draft boards and could allow him to be selected in the later rounds. Grant’s experience playing at safety and cornerback and on special teams raises his chances of finding a possible NFL home, though it is more likely to come through free agency. That could also be the path of NFL hopefuls like Mandy Alonso, Ryan Nelson, and others.
Draft news will continue to heat up as it gets closer to April 28, and Virginia seems to have some impactful players in the mix.
