Woods moves up the depth chart after the Texans traded Brandin Cooks to Dallas.
What it means:
Houston's wideout depth chart begins with Woods and the returning Nico Collins (foot). Woods is coming off a down season with Tennessee, where he had a career-low 527 yards over a full 17-game slate. There are multiple reasons to explain the drop in production: he was coming off a knee injury that ended his 2021 season, and Woods played with three different quarterbacks in Nashville. A third and more worrisome reason could be age -- Woods will be 31 this coming season -- and may not have much left in the tank as he prepares for another season with a different quarterback, likely a rookie. The positive takeaway is that Woods will be familiar with the system offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was the passing game coordinator in San Francisco in 2022 under head coach Kyle Shanahan, plans to bring to Houston, per DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com. Shanahan and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who together when the two were assistants in Washington, run similar schemes. Woods was his most productive when playing for McVay in Los Angeles.
Woods and the Texans have agreed to terms on a two-year, $15.25 million deal, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
What it means:
Woods was cut by the Titans in February in an effort for Tennessee to clear up salary cap space. The soon-to-be 31-year-old pass catcher played a full 17-game slate in 2022. He accumulated 527 yards and two touchdowns on 53 receptions in the process. It remains to be seen what Houston plans on doing with fellow wide receiver Brandon Cooks, but Woods will presumably slot in as a top target for whomever is under center come Week 1.
Texans sign wide receiver Robert Woods to 2-year deal on Friday
What it means:
The Houston Texans have reportedly signed wide receiver Robert Woods to a two year contract.
Woods will receive $10 million guaranteed with a ceiling potential for $18 million. In a relatively inexperienced receiving group if Brandin Cooks does not remain with the team, Woods could see WR3-like volume alongside Nico Collins next season.
On 82 targets last season, Woods ranked 55th among wide receivers with a 68.0 Pro Football Focus offensive rating while also accounting for 53 receptions for 527 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1.14 yards per route run.
Robert Woods released by Titans
What it means:
Tennessee wide receiver Robert Woods was released by the Titans on Wednesday.
Woods, who joined the Titans via trade from the Los Angeles Rams in March of 2022, was released on Wednesday. He played in 17 games for Tennessee last season. Woods, a former 2nd round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2013, is entering his eleventh season in the NFL.
In 17 games for the Titans last season, Woods caught 53 of 91 targets for 527 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Titans are releasing Woods on Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of TheScore.com reports.
What it means:
Woods' release will save Tennessee roughly $12 million in cap space. The team is also releasing three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan (knee), who was limited to just two games in 2022 before suffering an ACL tear. Woods, who will turn 31 in April, played a full 17-game slate in 2022. He secured 53 of 91 targets for 527 yards and two scores, and his average of 9.9 yards per reception was the worst such mark of his 10 year NFL career.
Woods reeled in four of five passes for 40 yards during Saturday's 20-16 loss to Jacksonville.
What it means:
Woods tied Austin Hooper and Treylon Burks for the team lead in catches and otherwise finished second in receiving yards and targets among Titans. The yardage total also marked Woods' most since Week 14 (also against the Jaguars) and was his fourth most of the campaign, leaving him with a season-long line of 53-527-2 on 91 targets in 16 games. It was a fair performance for a player that tore his ACL on Nov. 13, 2021, and the 30-year-old now can focus on putting the serious injury further in the rearview mirror this offseason. With three more years left on his contract, Woods is slated to be on Tennessee's roster in 2023 as the situation currently stands.