Despite being 0-2 on the season, the Houston Texans have to like what they have seen out of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has thrown for 626 yards and two touchdowns, while completing 63.7% of his passes. One of his favorite targets thus far has been Robert Woods, who has 12 catches in two games for the Texans.
Are these 12 catches a sign of things to come for Woods, and should he be a waiver wire pickup for your fantasy football team?
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Should Robert Woods Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 3?
It doesn’t matter where he has played in his career, Woods has shown that he is going to be a solid contributing receiver no matter what.
In his first 10 years in the NFL, the least catches he has ever had in a season is 53, and the fewest yards is 527. From 2018-2020, he averaged 86.6 catches and 1,096 receiving yards with the Los Angeles Rams.
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While he isn’t going to put up those kind of numbers, there are some positives from the first two weeks for Woods.
One thing about rookie quarterbacks is they love to lean on reliable receivers who are going to be in the right spot. Woods is a good route runner, who has never truly counted on game-breaking speed or athleticism to get open.
Stroud has shown in these first two games that he trusts that Woods will be in the right spot and run the correct route. Woods is currently not only second on the team in catches but also targets.
Nico Collins leads the team in both of those categories, and is more of the big-play guy for the receiving corps. However, if Collins isn’t open, Stroud has shown that Woods is his guy when he needs a completion.
While Woods is playing very good football right now, what is his ceiling and would that make it worth signing him on the waiver wire?
The Texans look like they will not be a contender in the AFC South. Hence, they’ll look to continue to develop Stroud with the young receivers. Tank Dell has shown flashes in his rookie year of being a solid receiver; he’s a guy Stroud asked the team to draft after they selected him.
John Metchie III played on Sunday after missing all of his rookie year due to leukemia. As the season moves on and the team looks to the future, the odd man out in the Texans’ offense could be Woods.
Right now, it is too early to sign him on the waiver wire. However, if he continues to play well, he could be someone to look at right around the NFL trade deadline. There are always contenders who could use some help, and a veteran like Woods could end up with a bigger role on a team going for the playoffs.
Don’t sign him now, but definitely keep an eye on his stats the next few weeks.