After five years of being viewed as just an average receiver, Robert Woods finally broke out in a big way. Last season, he set new career highs in receptions (86), yards (1,219) and touchdowns (six) on a whopping 130 targets, also the most in his career.
He earned the respect of fans, analysts and his peers, being ranked 76th on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2019 list – a ranking that’s voted on by players. As good as he was a season ago, however, Woods wants to improve further.
One area he’s focusing on is after the catch, aiming to create bigger plays with the ball in his hands.
“Really just looking at my film last year and seeing what I did, my biggest thing I want to add to my game is keep attacking the ball, keep running, but be more dangerous with the ball in my hands,” Woods said Friday at training camp. “Make bigger plays, be able to have a lot more YAC (yards after catch) even more than I did last year. Just make some more exciting plays.”
Woods made countless big plays for the Rams last season, hauling in seven passes of at least 30 yards. He didn’t have any receptions longer than 39 yards, but he did have a 56-yard carry against the Seahawks.
Sean McVay will likely continue to utilize Woods as a runner on jet sweeps and handoffs, given how successful those plays were last season. And if he gets even more dangerous as a ball carrier, the Rams offense will be difficult to stop.
