In a salary-cap league like the NFL, finding building blocks is essential. As teams churn and burn the roster through the draft and bargain signings in free agency, it helps to find the players who are either a cut above the rest or can perform a task few others can. They relieve the pressure on everyone.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be ranking the 15 most essential players to the Colts' success in 2024. It's a subjective process, weighing factors such as ability, positional value within a scheme, age, leadership and durability.

To make it simpler, we're asking the following two questions about these players:

1. How difficult would he be to replace for more than a month?

2. What does the Colts' 2024 ceiling become if this player hits his?

With the return of Anthony Richardson from shoulder surgery, the Colts’ outlook is on the future but also on the present after a 9-8 season fell a fourth-down conversion short of winning the AFC South. This list will primarily look at 2024 value, but certain players' development for the long-term can help to break ties along the way.

Here's the list so far:

12. Laiatu Latu, defensive end

13. Josh Downs, wide receiver

14. Zaire Franklin, linebacker

15. Kwity Paye, defensive end

Today, we continue with No. 11, Jelani Woods.

Position: Tight end

Age: 25

Experience: 3rd season

Last year's rank: Did not make list

Why he's here: The Colts are rolling back so much of an offense that surpassed all expectations in Year 1 under Shane Steichen, from the running game with a partial Jonathan Taylor to a dual-threat game with a partial Anthony Richardson. The return to full health of those two players opens up a new ceiling.

But perhaps the only player who can introduce an entirely new level to this group is Jelani Woods.

After collecting 312 yards and three touchdowns as a third-round rookie in 2022, Woods missed the entire 2023 season with a variety of hamstring injuries. That, combined with a rookie season with a slower start but big-time flashes, leaves him as the ultimate wildcard.

The upside is still extremely high.

Like Anthony Richardson, Woods has a case for being the most athletic player ever at his position entering the NFL Draft. His 6-foot-7 height, 37.5-inch vertical jump, 129-inch broad jump and 4.61-second 40-yard dash all ranked in the top 7% of tight end prospects since 1987, per Relative Athletic Score.

He was a natural work in progress as a rookie, just a couple years removed from playing quarterback at Oklahoma State. His playing time and production were sporadic as a rookie, but he averaged 12.5 yards per catch and turned 16 of 25 catches into first downs to show what he's capable of.

But his inconsistent moments and then missing the entire 2023 season showcased his floor.

The Colts have left their top tight end role open to him, and if his off-season work to reshape his lower half can create a sustainable year, he could break out in the biggest of ways with a play designer like Shane Steichen and a downfield quarterback like Richardson in a run-heavy, play-action-heavy offense.

It's not hard to picture Woods excelling on Steichen's tight end screens, in the run-pass-option game and up the seam when safeties commit to Michael Pittman Jr.

The floor and the unproven track record are what holds Woods back from the top 10. Combining durability with production and consistency is the next step.

Without him, Steichen has shown he can hodgepodge together a tight end room of more than 800 yards in production. But Woods offers the only real upside of the group.

If he can add it, he could take a Richardson-Taylor-Pittman trio to a lethal level.

Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Most essential Colts No. 11: TE Jelani Woods