Prior to the start of the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams brass made it known they were going to be active in this year’s free agency period. It should come as no surprise considering the gaping holes in their personnel, especially at receiver and along the offensive line.
The Rams have addressed one of those needs by signing former Buffalo Bills wideout, Robert Woods and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the sides have agreed to a five-year, $39 million deal:
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
The team’s first official signing in free agency represents a nice homecoming for Woods, a local kid who starred in multiple sports for nearby Junipero Serra High School before becoming a 2011 Consensus All-American for USC. Now, he returns to the Los Angeles Coliseum where he finished as the school’s all-time leader in receptions.
The Bills selected Woods with the 41st overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft where he was quickly inserted into the starting lineup. Serving as virtually the only consistent option behind Sammy Watkins, Woods recorded 203 receptions for 2,451 yards and 12 touchdowns during his four-year stint in Buffalo.
Woods’ signing could not have come at a better time with last year’s leading receiver Kenny Britt likely headed to the Cleveland Browns. Although the former Trojan does not answer all of the Rams current questions at wide receiver, he can prove to be a consistent option for second-year quarterback Jared Goff. With a few names left still on the market, it will be interesting to see what other areas of their roster they address.
