At first glance, the Los Angeles Rams’ signing of free-agent Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods isn’t going to draw oohs and aahs.
But the move is the kind of low-risk, moderate-reward move that the Rams need to continue to make as they try to climb back to respectability.
Woods signed a five-year deal with the team on Thursday. According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the deal could be worth up to $39 million if all incentives are achieved. Meaning that the actual value if the contract plays out, will be less than that. And only $15 million is guaranteed.
Former Rams WR Kenny Britt signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $32.5 million, so the going rate for wideouts isn’t cheap. Yes, Britt was a 1,000-yard receiver last year, but just barely—and he needed 114 targets to accomplish that in 65 receptions.
During Woods’ rookie season in Buffalo in 2013, he had 65 receptions in 104 targets. He did have only 699 yards, but he also matched Britt’s five touchdown receptions from last season. Woods had 51 receptions in 76 targets last year for a 67.1 percent catch rate. Britt’s highest catch percentage came in 2011 when he caught 65.1 percent of his passes.
Britt will be 29 when the 2017 season rolls around; Woods will be 25.
And there were other moderately priced free agents available, but whose to say they even were willing to consider the Rams, who had the worst offense in the NFL last season? Or that they were better options?
Would a Torrey Smith, who has a Super Bowl ring, want to be involved in a rebuild at age 28? He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for three years and $15 million. But he has 53 receptions for 930 yards and seven TDs—in his last two years combined.
The only drawback on Woods is he has been dinged up the last couple of years. A knee sprain limited Woods to 13 games and 10 starts in 2016, and he played through a torn groin muscle in all of 2015. Yet, the fact that he played shows his toughness and professionalism on a young team that needs leadership to emerge, especially on offense.
Gonzalez also calls Woods “a good route runner and a great blocker with dependable hands.” Much of Jared Goff’s struggles last season were due to his receivers dropping passes when he was able to deliver the ball, sapping what little confidence he had.
Woods can assist Tavon Austin with his subpar route-running and should be a great asset to Todd Gurley’s attempts at a bounce-back year in the backfield.
The Rams were not going to land a No. 1 receiver in this year’s free agency with the limited resources they have. Austin is getting paid like a No. 1, so the Rams have to focus on making him earn his pay.
Woods, who had great success in the L.A. Coliseum with USC, could be motivated by a return to Los Angeles and give the Rams what they need right now: another piece of the overall puzzle.
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