Week 1 at Oakland Raiders
Robert Woods had a breakout season for the Rams a year ago, finishing as fantasy’s WR34 despite missing four games due to injury. He turned into Jared Goff’s go-to possession receiver and also showed some big-play potential with his yards-after-catch ability. Woods will be a WR3/WR4 option this season and should be viewed as such when the Rams travel to Oakland on Monday night. Woods ranks as our No. 32 WR and is an intriguing streaming option against a bad Raiders defense.
Fantasy Upside
Robert Woods had a breakout season in 2017. Despite missing four games with an injury, Woods set a new career-high in yards by 82, capping off his season with 781. He also posted a new personal best in yards per catch (13.9), while hauling in 56 receptions on 85 targets. On the year, Woods finished as the fantasy WR34 playing in Sean McVay's offense for the first time. While the Rams added Brandin Cooks and will return slot receiver Cooper Kupp, Woods could still wind up being the team's No. 1 wideout when it's all said and done. As one of the NFL's top blocking receivers, there's no reason for Woods to come off the field much. He will get his opportunities again after proving he can be a difference maker a year ago.
Fantasy Downside
Even though the Rams were explosive a year ago and put up a lot of points, McVay's offense doesn't generate a high volume of pass attempts. The team is loaded at the receiver position but Todd Gurley remains the focal point of the offense and will see plenty of his own targets in the passing game. Even in a breakout season, Woods still only finished as fantasy's WR34 (which was his highest fantasy finish to date but placed him firmly in the WR3 tier).
2018 Bottom Line
If Woods didn't miss those four games due to a shoulder injury he probably finishes the year as a WR2. Nevertheless, he enters 2018 with high hopes of replicating what he did a year ago under McVay. If he stays healthy, there's no reason to believe he can't match his production from a year ago. Slotted as our No. 31 WR, Woods is being drafted in the eighth round of 10-team leagues. Even with the addition of Cooks (remember, the Rams had Sammy Watkins a year ago), Woods is a WR3 with WR2 upside.
Wild Card Round vs. Atlanta Falcons
Robert Woods sat out of the Rams' Week 17 loss to the 49ers in preparation for the team's upcoming playoff run. He'll face the No. 19-ranked defense against fantasy receivers on Saturday night when the Rams host the Falcons in the Wild Card round. Atlanta has a couple of solid corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford but Woods will be a solid play in DFS and playoff leagues this weekend. He ranks as our No. 4 WR for the Wild Card round.
Week 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Robert Woods caught 3-of-8 targets for 33 yards in the Rams’ Week 16 victory over the Titans. He was quiet, which is unusual for Woods, who was great two weeks ago when he returned from a nearly month-long shoulder injury.
On Sunday, the Rams will host the 49ers, and while Sean McVay will rest Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, he also mentioned that Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Sammy Watkins could see some playing time. Woods currently ranks as our No. 33 WR for Week 17 and the safe bet is to just avoid all Rams starters for Sunday.
Week 16 at Tennessee Titans
Robert Woods caught 6-of-7 targets for 45 yards and 1 touchdown in the Rams' 42-7 win over the Seahawks in Week 15. Woods missed the previous three weeks with a shoulder injury but he made an impact in his return, leading all Rams receivers in targets, receptions, and yards. His touchdown came when he was wide open on a one-yard hookup with Jared Goff, who attempted just 21 passes on the day.
Ranked as our No. 15 WR for Week 16, feel free to get Woods in your lineup as a WR2 this weekend when the Rams travel to Tennessee to take on the slumping Titans. Tennessee ranks 18th against fantasy receivers this season, so it's a decent matchup for Woods owners.
Week 15 at Seattle Seahawks
After missing several games due to a shoulder injury, Robert Woods (probable) is expected to make his return this Sunday when the Rams travel to Seattle. With no Richard Sherman or Kam Chancellor for the Seahawks, Seattle ranks 23rd against fantasy wide receivers. Woods is our No. 26 ranked WR for Week 15 and should be considered for your WR3 slot, as we feel safe getting him back in your starting lineup.
Week 11 at Minnesota Vikings
Robert Woods had a monster day, catching 8-of-10 targets for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Rams' Week 10 win over the Texans. Any fantasy owner who rolled the dice by starting Woods or Jared Goff were no doubt sweating things out at halftime. But coming out of halftime, Goff hit Woods in stride for a 94-yard score after the receiver turned Johnathan Joseph around on a post route. It was the longest play of Woods' career but he wasn't done. He also scored later in the third quarter on a swing pass from 12 yards out. No longer just a possession receiver, Woods had never scored two touchdowns in a game before last week.
The Rams visit the Vikings on Sunday and despite Minnesota ranking No. 12 against fantasy receivers this season, Woods is a safe start on Sunday. Ranked as our No. 22 WR, view Woods as a solid WR3.
Week 10 vs. Houston Texans
Robert Woods caught 4-of-5 targets for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Rams' Week 9 win over the Giants. One of his touchdowns was a highlight-reel gem, as Woods caught a receiver screen and took it 52 yards to the house on a 3rd-and-33 play in the first half. Woods also added a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Woods has emerged as a solid WR3/Flex option depending on the matchup. He has a great matchup on Sunday when the Rams host the Texans, who rank 30th against fantasy receivers this season. Ranked as our No. 19 WR for Week 10, Woods is a viable streaming option again this weekend.
Week 9 at New York Giants
Robert Woods caught 5-of-7 targets for 59 yards in the Rams' Week 7 win over the Cardinals. He's now caught at least 5 passes in four of his last five games and has managed to post at least 59 yards in those contests.
The Rams travel to East Rutherford on Sunday to take on a Giants defense ranked No. 9 against fantasy wide receivers. Ranked as our No. 32 WR for Week 9, view Woods as a WR4 option for this weekend. While he's unlikely to post eye-popping numbers, Woods also isn't going to kill owners with his production.
Week 7 vs. Cardinals (game in London)
Robert Woods caught 5-of-7 targets for 70 yards in the Rams’ Week 6 win over the Jaguars. Woods has put together a solid three-week stretch, posting 12.4, 10.0, and 8.83 points per game in PPR formats over his last three games. Still, Woods is nothing but a dart throw in Week 7, even against the Cardinals and their No. 31-ranked defense against fantasy receivers. Ranked as our No. 37 WR for Week 7, avoid Woods.
