Every NFL team’s breakout star for this season

Breakout NFL candidates for 2023: Indianapolis Colts – Jelani Woods

The Indianapolis Colts were such a mess last season. That’s how they ended up with a top-five pick, which they used to take Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. They had to finally fix the quarterback issues after trying Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and Jacoby Brissett after Andrew Luck retired. With Richardson, and possibly Gardner Minshew to start under center, the pass catchers are going to have a better season.

This is going to really help Michael Pittman, but Jelani Woods is an underrated winner of this situation. He showed promise last year, including a game-winning touchdown to beat the eventual Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Woods’ issues weren’t really due to lack of production or lack of skill, but rather he had a lack of opportunity.

Woods only had 40 targets last season. Now, under former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator and now head coach Shane Steichen, the tight end position should get much more love than it did before. Steichen loved using Dallas Goddert with the Eagles. He’s going to love using Jelani Woods in Indianapolis.

On top of everything, Woods is a physical specimen. He stands at 6-7, causing matchup nightmares every drive. He should be a touchdown machine. This is someone who needs the right offensive mind to get the most out of him. He was very meh with Oklahoma State, but in his one season at UVA, he had eight touchdowns. Expect more of the same in his new life with the Colts.