The New York Jets have officially re-signed tight end Jelani Woods and exercised exclusive rights tenders on defensive tackle Jowon Briggs and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball. These moves, finalized ahead of the 2024 season, ensure the team retains promising talent while strengthening roster depth.
Woods’ Journey and Contributions to the Jets
The Jets claimed Jelani Woods, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 253 pounds, off waivers last August. He participated in a total of 60 offensive snaps and 12 special teams plays across four games. Originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a collegiate career at Virginia, Woods played in 15 games during his rookie year, securing 25 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries involving his hamstring and turf toe sidelined him for most of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
Defensive Players Retained to Support the Jets’ Front Seven
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, acquired from Cleveland near the end of training camp, saw a productive season with career-best statistics. Briggs, listed at 6-foot-1 and 313 pounds, notched 38 tackles including eight tackles for loss, four sacks, 36 pressures, and one forced fumble. He played 270 snaps as an interior pass rusher, achieving a 12.6% pressure rate, ranking fifth among players with over 250 such snaps. Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball, standing 6-foot and 214 pounds, served as a special teams captain ahead of the season but was limited to five games due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Indiana alum totaled 23 tackles over his third NFL season.
Impact of Exclusive Rights Tenders on Team Roster Stability
As exclusive rights free agents, Briggs and McCrary-Ball had fewer than three accrued NFL seasons and expiring contracts. By exercising their tender rights, the Jets prevent these players from negotiating with other teams, maintaining continuity on defense. These roster decisions reflect the organization’s focus on retaining young, developing players to build competitive depth moving forward.
