Robert Woods to receive volume but unlikely to provide fantasy owners with value
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With a move from the Buffalo Bills to the Los Angeles Rams, will WR Robert Woods return fantasy value with his new contract?
Barring any snags, Robert Woods intends to sign a 5-year, $39 million deal, including $15 million guaranteed, with Rams, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Woods was given an opportunity to emerge as breakout receiver last season, when teammate WR Sammy Watkins suffered an injury early in a Week 3 game. He was held off the field until Week 12, and turned in only two notable performances the rest of the way.
In seven games without Watkins and serving as the Bills' de facto WR1, Woods totaled 463 yards and just one touchdown, his only score of the season. Woods now technically replaces WR Kenny Britt in Los Angeles, serving as the possession receiver compliment to WR Tavon Austin.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Filling the void?
Officially, the departure of Britt to the Cleveland Browns opens up 111 targets among the Los Angeles receiving corps. He caught 68 of those targets and turned them into 1,002 yards and five touchdowns. All four would be a career-best for Woods, with the touchdowns matching his 2014 total.
The Rams current wide receiver depth chart is led by Austin and sophomores-to-be Pharoh Cooper and Mike Thomas. Austin's role doesn't have much of an impact on the rest of the receiver group and is unlikely to change significantly with Britt departing.
With Austin primarily working out of the slot and the backfield, Woods will compete with the two sophomores for two starting jobs. With uninspiring sophomore QB Jared Goff prepped to run the offense, the Rams offense, yet again, will not be able to produce multiple fantasy worthy wide receivers.
Austin will again enter the year in WR4/5 consideration, best suited for best-ball or PPR formats. Preserve Woods solely for streaming or daily fantasy consideration.