New York Giants work out Riders’ DL Jonathan Woodard, Ticats’ TE Nikola Kalinic

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The New York Giants worked out Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard and Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ tight end Nikola Kalinic, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.

Woodard had an exceptional rookie season with Saskatchewan in 2021, recording 22 total tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games. He was a rotational defensive end for the first four games of the season but became a full-time starter over the club’s remaining ten games.

The 28-year-old also started the West Semi-Final and West Final and made four tackles and one sack.

Woodard was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Over the next five seasons, he spent time with the Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills. He played in six regular season contests with the Dolphins, making 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack.

The six-foot-five, 271-pounder spent five collegiate seasons at Central Arkansas where he played 46 games as a member of the Bears. He was a strong presence on the defensive line, making 174 career tackles, 53 tackles for loss, 29 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception and four blocked kicks.

Photo courtesy: Ryan McCullough/Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Kalinic was selected in the second round, tenth overall, in the 2019 CFL Draft out of York University. He has since dressed for 30 games with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 23 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns over two seasons. He worked out with the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday and the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.

This is the latest in a long series of NFL workouts for the six-foot-four, 255-pound Canadian. He has already visited the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers with more opportunities expected to arise over the next few weeks.

The Toronto native made 15 catches for 168 yards in his final seasons with the York Lions before turning pro. He is slated to become a free agent in February, though he can sign with an NFL team before that if he if offered a contract.