Week 3 at Cleveland Browns
Robert Woods followed up a disappointing WR30 performance in Week 1 with an even-more-disappointing WR68 finish in Week 2. Woods saw only two targets last week against the Saints, despite lining up for 99% of the offensive snaps, the highest rate among Rams wide receivers. Woods' 6.3-yard average depth of target (aDOT) through Week 2 is far shorter than his 11.3 aDOT from 2018.
Woods faces a talented secondary in Week 3 in Cleveland, one that allowed just 28.9 fantasy points per game in 0.5 PPR formats in 2018, 12th-fewest. So far in 2019, the Browns have held opposing wide receivers to 15 fantasy points per game, fewest in the NFL. Woods is a borderline-WR3 start this week, but far better matchups lie ahead for the Rams.
Week 2 vs. New Orleans Saints
Robert Woods suffered somewhat in Week 1 from the Rams' passing struggles, but not to the extent of his teammates. He managed eight catches for 70 yards, good for fantasy's WR30 in 0.5 PPR formats. If you were expected WR2 or fringe-WR1 numbers, you were understandably disappointed, but don't overcompensate for what should be a Week 1 anomaly.
Woods runs the majority of his routes either out of the slot formation or to the offense's right, which will regularly line him up against slot cornerback P.J. Williams and slot cornerback Eli Apple. These are matchups that both favor Woods pretty heavily, and he projects as a top-12 wide receiver for Week 2.
Week 1 at Carolina Panthers
Robert Woods was the most frequently targeted wide receiver for the Rams last season, and finished with the most yards (just 15 more than Brandin Cooks) and touchdowns (6 to Cooks' 5). He was the least efficient of the trio, with the lowest fantasy points per touch, and Cooper Kupp's injuries were at least partially responsible for his target volume. He continues to project as a high-end WR2, but his share of targets is likely to decrease somewhat with Kupp's return.
Woods faces a fairly mediocre Carolina secondary in Week 1, and should line up regularly on the left side of the formation, across from cornerback James Bradberry, a matchup that Woods should be able to exploit. In a game that Vegas projects to have one of the top five point totals of the week, Woods is a worthy start, and should return low-end WR1 to high-end WR2 value on Sunday.
Fantasy Upside
In his second year in Sean McVay's system in 2018, Robert Woods posted career-high totals in targets, receiving yardage, and touchdowns. He led Rams wide receivers in targets, target rate, touchdowns, and receiving yards, and ended up as the overall WR10 for the season.
Fantasy Downside
2018 was only the second season that Woods played in all 16 games. With the return of a healthy Cooper Kupp, Woods stands to lose some of the target volume he had last season. While 2018 was a breakout season for him, it was also the only season in which he's surpassed 800 receiving yards.
2019 Bottom Line
Our projections rank Woods as the WR17 for 2019, and his ADP closely follows suit, as he's regularly drafted as the WR18 in the middle of the fourth round. His 4for4 ranking has his likely volume reduction baked in, and yet Kupp isn't a shoo-in to begin the season at 100%. Kupp will open camp nine months removed from an ACL tear, which is on the low end of the 9-12 month expected recovery time. If Kupp is eased back into action, that would likley be enough to bump Woods into value territory at his ADP.
Week 19 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Robert Woods caught 2-of-3 targets for 24 yards in the Rams’ Week 17 win over the 49ers. It was Woods’ worst game of the season but he was one of the more consistent receivers in the league in 2018. The Rams will host a Cowboys team that ranked eighth against fantasy receivers in 2018 but despite the difficult matchup, Woods is projected to score 17.0 fantasy points in the Divisional Round. That ranks him as our WR6 and if you’re looking for a reliable option in DFS, you could do a lot worse than Woods.
Week 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Robert Woods caught six-of-seven targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ Week 16 win over the Cardinals. He also added 15 yards and another touchdown on two carries as he continues to be used on the ground as well. Woods has been the Rams’ most consistent receiver this season, even more so with Cooper Kupp lost for the season. He hasn’t seen fewer than seven targets in a game since Week 10 and while he hasn’t topped more than 89 yards since Week 6, Woods has set career-highs in both catches (84) and receiving yards (1,195). Ranked as our WR6 for Week 17, Woods is a bona fide WR1 for Sunday when the Rams host the 49ers. With L.A. needing another win to lock up a first-round bye, Woods is an excellent fantasy play this weekend.
Week 16 at Arizona Cardinals
Robert Woods caught seven-of-nine targets for 74 yards in the Rams’ Week 15 loss to the Eagles. As consistent as they come, Woods continues to produce for fantasy owners despite Jared Goff’s struggles the past three weeks. The problem is that with Goff struggling, Woods has been held to just two touchdowns over his past 10 games. Despite the scoring drought, view Woods as a WR2 when the Rams visit a Cardinals defense that ranks 19th against fantasy receivers this season. He’s our WR13 for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Robert Woods caught seven-of-12 targets for 61 yards in the Rams’ Week 14 loss to the Bears. Jared Goff struggled miserably in the cold Chicago weather, but Woods still found a way to be productive. He led the Rams in receiving and his 12 targets led the team in that category. Goff and the entire L.A. offense should rebound Sunday when the Rams host a banged-up Eagles defense (a defense that ranks No. 25 against fantasy receivers this season). Ranked as our WR13 for Week 15, view Woods as a WR2.
Week 14 at Chicago Bears
Robert Woods caught five-of-nine targets for 67 yards and a touchdown while also adding 11 yards on two rushing attempts in the Rams’ Week 13 win over the Lions. L.A.’s passing game struggled coming off the bye and will be tested again Sunday night in Chicago when the Rams visit the Bears. That said, Woods remains a must-start as he continues to see plenty of volume in Sean Payton’s offense. Ranked as our WR16 for Week 14, view Woods as a WR2 for Sunday night.
Week 13 at Detroit Lions
Robert Woods caught four-of-11 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ Week 11 win over the Chiefs. Woods’ 11 targets fell one shy of Brandin Cooks’ 12 for the team lead but he continues to see a ton of looks in the passing game with Cooper Kupp (knee) out. Having racked up at least 70 yards receiving in 10-straight games, Woods is a consistent performer week in and week out. Ranked as our WR14 for Week 13, view Woods as a high-end WR2 for when the Rams visit the Lions on Sunday.
