HOUSTON – Robert Woods has run every route on the tree thousands of times, perfecting his craft with years of polishing and repetition.
At age 32, Woods is the elder statesman of arguably the most talented collective of receivers in the NFL headlined by Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
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Although he battled through injuries last season after signing a two-year, $15.25 million contract that has a maximum value of $17 million and $10 million fully guarantee, Woods still managed to produce 40 receptions for 426 yards and one touchdown in 14 games and 11 starts.
“Just playing last year banged up, I just want to be healthy this year and do a lot more,” Woods told KPRC 2. “I know we’ve got a lot of receivers and weapons out there. We’re just trying to find my space, working to be a viable option, staying open, and, when the ball finds me, make something happen.
“I think I’ve been doing pretty good all summer, all training camp, being able to create separation. It’s about being able to get the job done, catch some balls, be able to make plays. Really just being out there and competing, getting open and, when they call plays for me, being able to make something happen.”
Although Woods’ contract is a bit expensive since he might find himself outside the top four receivers on the depth chart when Noah Brown recovers from a shoulder injury, his experience and intangibles do provide value.
“He is a great mentor, just a great human,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud siad. “Somebody I have got to spend some time with off the field, in the offseason. He is a family man who loves his daughter, loves his wife. Also comes in and puts his head down and works, one of the hardest workers I know. Definitely a great leader. Somebody that everyone looks up to and we call him ‘Unc’ but he still has some play left.”
#Texans veteran wide receiver Robert Woods, who caught a touchdown today in red zone, on honing his craft every year and provides mentoring to younger players, too, on the collective talent at his position, his role and a cameo appearance @IRep229 @KPRC2 @KPRC2RandyMc pic.twitter.com/dsrRTdIG2Y
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 22, 2024
Woods’ last 1,000-yard season was with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 when he caught 90 passes for 1,134 yards. He followed that up with another 90 receptions for the NFC West franchise for 936 yards and six touchdowns. Over the past three seasons, he has combined for 138 catches for 1,509 yards and seven touchdowns for the Rams, Tennessee Titans and Texans.
Woods is healthier this year and has been effective in the preseason heading into the Texans’ cutdown to 53 players. The Texans, ideally, want him on the team. His salary is a bit higher than his role, and he could have value for other teams if they decide to move on.
“Good training camp, a lot of good work,” Woods said. “We just really push this good quality work and keep raising the standard.”
During a joint practice against the Rams, his former team, the former Buffalo Bills second-round draft pick from USC, did his thing in red-zone drills, getting open for a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Davis Mills.
“Just a little quick roll, being able to get on the edge of the defender,” Woods said. “Kind of like an ISO route, knowing that I got to win on that, being able to get open. Davis threw a good ball, right in the face and, just able to catch it and find the end zone.”
The Texans have extremely tough roster decisions at wide receiver, as coach DeMeco Ryans reiterated Monday when he referred to it as a tough room to crack. That includes Woods, John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson, Ben Skowronek and Steven Sims Jr. as potential depth.
“I think it’s good,” Woods said. “The standard every day is work, work, work and the standing is coming in here and pushing and pushing. All the guys are scratching and clawing to be the one and to be the two, to be the three, to be the four, to make the team. I think that just raises the level of competition to see everybody making plays on the field and just try to make this receiver room unstoppable.”
Especially catching passes from Stroud, a Pro Bowl selection and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year who’s only gotten better this year.
“I think he always has command, always been a poised quarterback,” Woods said. “This season, a little more command, moving around. I already feel like it’s a little bit more of moving guys around. What you learn about C.J. is he never panics. If something breaks down, you just go back and play football. He’s already comfortable. I think he raises everybody around him.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
