The Tennessee Titans pulled off a huge trade with the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night, acquiring wide receiver Robert Woods in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick.
The need for a wideout was obvious. The Titans had to add depth going into this offseason, and their need at the position became even more dire after releasing Julio Jones.
While his coming back from a torn ACL is no doubt a concern, Woods checks every box possible for the Titans.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has long been a fan of what Woods brings to the table, as evidenced by his comments on the 29-year-old wideout before Tennessee’s 2021 matchup against Los Angeles in Week 9, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
“(Robert) Woods has always been a player that I personally have respected,” Vrabel said. “He goes out there and blocks… They (Woods and Cooper Kupp) are good route-runners, strong with the football, good after the catch.”
“…I would say that him (Kupp) and Woods are two of the best blocking wide receivers in the league. It has been impressive just to watch them not only with their route craft and what they do, but the commitment they make to blocking players. I am not talking just DBs, they are trying to block outside linebacker, cut them off or do whatever they need to do in their offense.”
With everything Woods does well, leave it to Vrabel to wax poetic about his blocking skills — but Vrabel does for good reason; Woods is an exceptional blocker.
He has posted a run-blocking Pro Football Focus grade of 70 or better in seven of his nine seasons in the NFL, including three campaigns with 80 or better, one of which came in 2021 in an injury-shortened season.
Also, per Next Gen Stats (via Davenport), Woods has 288 “Run Block Wins” over the last five seasons, second-most among wide receivers (Kupp ranks first), so Vrabel was on the money in his assessment.
And now here we are talking about blocking. Vrabel has pulled us into his fundamentals vortex without even trying.
As we mentioned in our things to know about Woods article, he’s a brilliant route-runner and versatile player who can line up anywhere on the field.
He also has the speed to be a deep threat and can rip off chunks of yards after the catch, and the Titans should also manufacture touches for him in the run game.
Perhaps most importantly, everything we read about him says he’s a great teammate who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He’s not just a fantastic on-field fit, but a great culture fit as well.
Robert Woods is a remarkable human being and a damn good football player. This game, and business, can be cruel. Woods has now experienced both; still, I'd bet we'll see him fearlessly selling out across the middle anyway. I think there's something important to take from that.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 20, 2022
