Chargers defensive back JT Woods making the most of position shift

EL SEGUNDO — When the Chargers’ coaching staff approached defensive back JT Woods recently and suggested a position change during training camp, he agreed without hesitation, and then he sought out the advice of several of his more experienced and more accomplished teammates.

Their guidance has been invaluable.

Going from safety to cornerback might not seem like a drastic change. But, as Woods has learned, there are differences great and small between the positions. Mastering those differences has been difficult, but not impossible, and it could end up being his ticket to an enhanced role.

Woods, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Baylor, hardly played at all last season, playing a grand total of 60 snaps over three games as a safety. He also played 16 snaps on special teams, a forgotten man if ever there was one. He appeared in 10 games as a rookie, with 73 of 104 snaps coming on special teams.

Suffice it to say, a regime change has been good for Woods.

Jim Harbaugh has replaced Brandon Staley as coach and Jesse Minter has replaced Derrick Ansley as defensive coordinator. Now, it’s up to Woods to take advantage of an opportunity handed to him as a possible backup cornerback to expected starters Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton.

No question, the Chargers needed depth at the position.

Can Woods provide it?

“Everybody in the organization has shown their confidence in me with the position change, so I’m really just trying to take each and every day to better myself and better my craft,” Woods said Wednesday, the 21st day of training camp. “Just trying to find one little thing to get better at.”

Woods said the coaching staff liked his 6-foot-2, 193-pound frame and his foot speed and believed he could make the transition from safety to cornerback. The initial auditions went well and so Woods has continued in his new role and it’s possible he’ll begin the season at cornerback instead of safety.

However, the move hasn’t been without a few bumpy moments.

“Easy in theory, but definitely hard in execution,” Woods said.

It’s one thing to know the playbook, but another to excel on the field.

“The technique is completely different,” he said. “It’s a whole different world out there. There’s going to be plays where you’re out there on an island, which, thankfully, I have the confidence to go out and do. So, it’s all about getting reps, especially now that we’re still in the early training camp stages of everything.”

Woods acknowledged asking for help from Samuel and Fulton and others.

“Literally, every single practice, every single meeting just really asking those guys how would you play this or how would you play that?” Woods said. “Even Ja’Sir Taylor. Me and him are really close. We sit next to each other in meetings. He’s a guy at the nickel position, he wants to know everybody’s position.”

So, Woods asks, his teammates answer, and he banks the knowledge.

So far, so good.

“He’s got length, size, speed, coverage ability,” Minter said of Woods. “I think when you do stuff like that (move to a new position), it’s to increase his value and see if that’s a good fit for him. I also think it’ll make him better in a safety’s role with his coverage ability. So, I’m just excited about the way he’s developed.”

EXTRA POINTS

Quarterback Justin Herbert increased his participation in 11-on-11 drills during his third practice since returning to the field Monday from a layoff of two-plus weeks because of a right foot injury. Overall, Herbert completed seven passes on eight targets of wide receiver Quentin Johnston. …

Edge rusher Joey Bosa hasn’t rejoined his teammates for a practice since suffering an apparent hand injury during the Chargers’ joint practice with the Rams on Aug. 4. Injuries limited Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, to nine games last season and five games during the 2022 season.