Week 5 at Atlanta Falcons
Robert Woods, the former Ram and Titan, has quietly emerged (fallen?) as Houston's WR3 alongside Nico Collins and Tank Dell. He has seen at least six targets from C.J. Stroud in every game this season. With four teams on a bye this week including receivers such as Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen, Woods is a deep, deep sleeper, more of a flyer, this week against the Falcons. But temper expectations as he has yet to score a touchdown.
Week 12 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Robert Woods is still playing the vast majority of snaps for the Titans, but his role as a low-aDOT chain mover makes for a tough sell in fantasy leagues. Woods' 69 yards in
Week 11 were the most he's logged in a game since Week 3, and he still only has one touchdown on the season. Woods could not maintain fantasy relevance with Treylon Burks out injured, meaning his odds of doing so now that Burks is back and playing well are very low. Woods is only bench depth for fantasy purposes.
Week 10 vs. Denver Broncos
The return of Ryan Tannehill is good news for Robert Woods and the other Tennessee pass catchers, but he is still stuck in a run-dominant offense and will face a difficult matchup against Patrick Surtain and the Broncos in Week 10. Woods has nowhere to go but up after posting a zero in the fantasy column in Week 9, but he still is nothing more than a desperation flex play in deep leagues while dealing with very limited volume and posting unremarkable efficiency numbers.
Week 9 at Kansas City Chiefs
The Titans are clearly a run-first offense, but things got ridiculous in Week 8 with Ryan Tannehill inactive as rookie QB Malik Willis only attempted 10 passes and threw for a paltry 55 yards against Houston. Needless to say, that sort of stat line spells disaster for any Tennessee pass catcher. Tannehill is practicing in a very limited capacity so far this week, so he looks questionable at best to return against the Chiefs in Week 9. If Tannehill returns this week, Woods at least enters the WR3 or flex conversation. If it's Willis under center again, Woods cannot be started as the Titans will almost certainly try to throw the ball as little as possible again.
Week 8 at Houston Texans
Robert Woods fell victim to the Titans' run-first tendencies in Week 7 when Tennessee was able trample the Colts on the ground with Derrick Henry, resulting in only 20 pass attempts for Ryan Tannehill. Woods only saw four targets, catching three of them for 26 scoreless yards. The Titans' passing game has no fantasy floor with the way they like to run the ball, and Week 8 sets up similarly to last week against a Houston defense that is somewhat tough on opposing passing games but is among the worst run defenses in the NFL. Woods cannot be relied on as a fantasy starter and should remain on benches as we head into Week 8.
Week 7 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Robert Woods has assumed the duties of top pass catcher in Tennessee with Treylon Burks out injured and the depth chart lacking for healthy talent behind him. Woods has 21 targets over the last three weeks, but he still only has one finish as a fantasy WR2 on the season from Week 4 when he caught a touchdown. The Titans simply do not throw the ball with enough volume for Woods to be a secure fantasy starter despite his status as Tannehill's top option. A Week 7 matchup against a Colts defense that has been tough on opposing wideouts doesn't help his cause. Woods is best left on benches this week, even with byes creeping into the fantasy landscape.
Week 5 at Washington Commanders
Robert Woods caught four-of-four targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, and he could be looking at a larger target share in the coming weeks with rookie first-round pick Treylon Burks now dealing with turf toe. Woods only has a 20% target share through four games, but the target competition for Woods at this point is virtually nonexistent. Woods has yet to catch more than four balls in a game this season but Ryan Tannehill and the Titans coaching staff may have no choice but to feed the veteran given the lack of available talent on their depth chart. A Week 5 matchup with the Commanders sets up well for Woods to produce at least a flex worthy performance in fantasy leagues.
Week 4 at Indianapolis Colts
Robert Woods had his best performance of the season in Week 3 by recording four catches for 85 yards on nine targets. The latter two marks paced the team in the win as Ryan Tannehill gets comfortable operating with Woods and rookie Treylon Burks as his primary pass catching options. Woods' uneven start to the season could be an indication of things to come given the Titans deploy a run-heavy offense and Burks should only become more involved as he gets accustomed to the pro level, but for the time being Woods projects for a solid target share and can be used as a low-end flex play in PPR leagues.
Week 1 vs. New York Giants
Robert Woods enters his 10th NFL season as a member of the Titans looking to help fill the void left behind by A.J. Brown and Julio Jones in the Tennessee passing game. While Woods is past him prime at this point in his career and coming off a torn ACL, he is by far the most established pass catcher on the Tennessee depth chart and should not lack for attention on the occasions the Titans decide to throw. Woods participated in most of the team's offseason program and has reportedly developed a solid rapport with Ryan Tannehill. Woods isn't an exciting fantasy play, but he should have a flex-worthy floor, at least until rookie first-round pick Treylon Burks is fully worked into the lineup.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Robert Woods is now in Tennessee via trade as the Titans acquired the veteran from the Rams in exchange for a sixth-round pick after he suffered a torn ACL to end his 2021 season last November. The good news on the health front is Woods participated in OTAs in June and reports regarding his recovery have been positive. The good news on the football front is Woods' lack of target competition in his new offense. The Titans drafted Treylon Burks in the first round and the rookie will surely command a decent target share in 2022, but A.J. Brown and Julio Jones are both gone now, leaving a massive hole in the team's target distribution in their wake. Woods had a reduced role in LA with Matthew Stafford under center, but a move to Tennessee fits Woods well as he has always been a great run blocker and as a result should see a ton of snaps working in front of Derrick Henry. If Woods' health cooperates, he has value as arguably the top target in the Titans passing game as Burks works his way into the pro ranks.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Needless to say, a 30-year-old wideout coming off an ACL tear has some red flags when it comes to fantasy. Woods only lasted nine games last year before going down with the serious knee injury, and at 30 his injury risk will only climb from here on out. Woods is also moving from the high-flying, new-look Rams offense to Tennessee, who would prefer to feed Derrick Henry than air it out with Ryan Tannehill and regularly play one of the most run-heavy styles in the NFL. Woods is not much of a big-play threat at this stage, meaning volume is an important factor to his production. Woods was already relegated to borderline starter status last year when Cooper Kupp emerged to dominate targets in LA, and if Burks emerges quicker than expected or Woods just cannot get right physically, that trend could continue in 2022.
2022 Bottom Line
Woods certainly comes with plenty of risk given his age and recent injury issues, but his current ADP is outside the top 100 picks and there is a strong possibility he leads the Titans in targets and catches this season. If Woods falls into the later rounds, he is a great value as a WR2/Flex target.
