Jets Reportedly Stepping into the Woods Sweepstakes

Gang Green to visit with veteran free-agent defensive tackle Al Woods

The New York Jets are considering a 12-year veteran to fill the void in the middle of its defensive line.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that defensive tackle Al Woods has scheduled upcoming free-agent visits with the Cleveland Browns and Jets.

Playing on the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive front, the 36-year old Woods started 30 of a possible 34 games the last two seasons. In 2022, he accounted for 39 combined stops and 2.0 sacks over 14 starts.

Woods, a 6-foot-4 road block, has appeared in regular season games for five different NFL teams over the course of his career (Seahawks, Buccaneers, Steelers, Colts, Titans).

Former #Seahawks DT Al Woods is visiting the #Browns and #Jets this week, source said. One of the most durable and valuable DTs for the last several years.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2023

The New Orleans Saints drafted Woods with the No. 123 overall selection in 2010, but the behemoth lineman never played for NOLA.

The former LSU Tiger signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in April 2020, but eventually opted out of the 2020 COVID season. He returned to Seattle for the 2021 campaign.

Woods has logged 155 career appearances, including 78 starts.

DT Al Woods (99) pursues Washington QB Taylor Heinicke (4) / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets’ defensive line lost some significant beef with Sheldon Rankins (Texans) and Nathan Shepherd (Saints) leaving as unrestricted free agents.

The Canadian-born Shepherd, who was drafted by the Jets at No. 72 overall in 2018, played in all 34 games for Robert Saleh’s defense over the past two seasons. Rankins, who recorded at least one stop in all 15 appearances last year, played in 31 contests over that same time span.

The Jets have already missed out on a targeted veteran defensive lineman in free agency.

Six-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell had been scheduled to visit Gang Green, but he never made it to Florham Park. The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with Campbell on March 29. 

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