Over the next few months, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at some of the late season signings who are under contract for 2026, and futures signings after the end of the season. We continue today with cornerback Samuel Womack, who signed a futures deal on the day after the season ended, having been elevated from the practice squad to start the season finale.
The 26-year old Womack is listed at 5’10” and 189 pounds and was a fifth round pick out of Toledo in 2022. He has started 11 games in his career so far, including eight with the Colts in 2024, and has racked up 73 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions in 46 career games.
Background
Womack was a productive receiver and cornerback in high school but wasn’t ranked by any of the main outlets so he had to walk on at Toledo. However, he saw action in seven games as a true freshman and recorded four tackles and an interception.
He continued to play a rotational role in 2018 but did make his first career start as he had 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in 13 games.
Over the next three years, Womack moved into a starting role and was productive as he had 59 tackles, 15 pass breakups and two interceptions in 2019 followed by 20 tackles and eight pass breakups in just six games in 2020. He was then named as a first-team all-MAC selection in his final season in 2021 as he had 32 tackles, 18 passes defensed and two more interceptions.
Despite not being invited to the scouting combine, Womack had a good pro day and was ultimately drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round.
As a rookie, Womack made one start and ended the season with 19 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. However, his second season was disrupted by injuries and he had just seven tackles in seven games.
Having been released in final cuts by the 49ers after the 2024 preseason, he was claimed on waivers by the Colts and made a good impact with them as he had an excellent season. He started eight games and racked up 36 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
Despite this, he failed to make the roster in 2025 and ended up on the Titans for whom he made five appearances including one start. He had four tackles and a pass breakup. However, he was waived again in November and ended up on the Jets’ practice squad in December.
Womack didn’t play until the season finale but was in on every snap and had seven tackles and a pass breakup in a solid performance and then signed a futures deal the next day.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Womack brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Womack has average size and length but posted some good numbers at his pro day where he ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash and managed a 36-inch vertical jump and solid agility numbers. His broad jump was below average and he did not participate in the bench press.
Usage
Womack primarily played on the outside during his career, but he did see extensive action in the slot in a couple of games in his final season at Toledo and then got some work there with the 49ers in his rookie year both in preseason and the regular season. He also played there in preseason in 2024.
With the Colts and Titans, and with the Jets in the season finale, he played exclusively outside.
Coverage skills
Womack’s coverage numbers in college were excellent as he allowed a catch on less than half of his targets and never got beaten for more than four touchdowns in a season.
At the NFL level, he has given up nine touchdowns in his career, including six in 2024 alone. However, at some points during that season he was ranking among the league leaders in categories such as forced incompletion rate and snaps per reception allowed.
His balance, anticipation and movement skills are good and his film shows plenty of examples of being able to stay with his man.
His biggest issue seems to be inconsistent footwork, which can lead to him being beaten off the line.
While he can run stride for stride with receivers on deep routes, he can struggle to recover when a bigger receiver gets a clean release off the line.
Ball skills
Womack posted spectacular on-ball numbers in college. In fact, he is ranked 11th all-time in NCAA history for passes defensed despite only having three seasons (one of them pandemic-shortened) as a starter. He led the MAC three straight years in that category and twice placed in the top-four in the nation.
He showcased his timing and ability to disrupt on this play in the season finale, where he played the defender’s hands to perfection.
In terms of interceptions, which is of course something the Jets are desperate to add to their team, Womack had five in college and has three in regular season action at the NFL level. He also had two more in preseason.
Run defense
While run defense isn’t a major part of Womack’s game as an outside corner, it’s something he got better at over the course of his college career and it hasn’t proved to be a weakness for him at the pro level as some analysts anticipated.
Tackling
Missed tackles were another thing that some analysts thought might be an issue for Womack at the pro level, due to his average size and a perceived lack of play strength. This was despite the fact his tackle efficiency numbers in college weren’t too bad. Again, though, this hasn’t really been a problem in the pros, although he has had five missed tackles, all in 2024.
He had one forced fumble in his rookie season.
Physicality
At times, Womack has used his hands well to jam at the line or redirect within five yards of the line of scrimmage, although this wasn’t really his primary role with the Colts or Titans.
He had 13 penalties during his college career with some analysts picking up on the fact that he would grab from time to time. However, he only has one defensive holding and one pass interference penalty at the pro level.
Although he isn’t big, he is capable of making some aggressive tackles.
Blitzing
Womack has hardly ever blitzed at the NFL level, although he did have a quarterback hit in a preseason game. He had this half-sack in college.
Special teams
Womack has had plenty of experience on all the main special teams units including as a vice on the punt return team and a gunner on punt coverage.
He wasn’t that productive in college, where he had as many penalties (three) as special teams tackles, but he has nine special teams tackles at the NFL level and made this impressive play at the goal line.
He did false start once on a punt though.
Instincts/Intelligence
Womack has displayed an ability to make quick reads and come up to make plays close to the line of scrimmage. In addition, he looks comfortable in terms of his assignment responsibilities in zone coverage.
Attitude
As a former walk-on, Womack has displayed determination to get to this level and has been similarly defiant when released by the 49ers, Colts and Titans. He believes he deserves more of a chance to show what he can do and brings good energy and communication skills.
On-field discipline hasn’t been an issue with just three defensive penalties at the NFL level, although one was for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Injuries
Womack spent five weeks on injured reserve in 2023, then returned in November, after suffering an MCL sprain in his knee. Otherwise, he has only been affected by minor injuries and illness during his career so far.
Scheme Fit
It was surprising to see Womack unable to make the Colts roster this year after a strong 2024 season, but he reportedly really struggled in Lou Anarumo’s new system.
That scheme sees the Colts mix up their coverages and packages a lot more than in the past and Womack apparently struggled in camp with giving up catches and penalties.
He perhaps looked at his most confident when playing in the Colts’ zone heavy schemes but he has handled man and press assignments in the past so it may have been the multiple nature of the system that he struggled to get to grips with.
He was a teammate of current Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with the Colts.
Conclusions
Womack’s performance in the season finale stood out as a rare bright spot for the Jets that day, and going back over his career so far suggests that he has some ability and potential that could give him a realistic shot at a roster spot with the Jets next season.
Aaron Glenn has brought in a series of defensive backs that he says fits what the Jets do and Womack slotted right into the lineup and did a solid job which sets him up well to perform at training camp next season.
Of course, we don’t know who the new defensive coordinator is going to be and, judging by what happened in Indianapolis, there’s a chance Womack might not fit in as well after this change is made. However, based on his talent alone, it’s too soon to write off Womack as a replacement level player and the Jets may have made a shrewd acquisition of an overlooked cornerback who could prove useful.
Wink Martindale is ‘probably the favorite at this point’ but reiterated that it is ‘still early.’
