I like Woods as a player too. Here's a write up I did on him back in January for someone who asked:
Robert Woods Draft Profile
School: University of Southern California (PAC 12)
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 lbs Class: Junior
Overview:
Robert Woods, a consensus All American in high school, had his choice of college football programs to attend. Both his father and uncle played college football at Grambling but Woods, possessing far more talent, decided after a phenomenal high school career, to attend USC. He exploded on to the college football scene as a true freshman with 65 catches, 792 yards and 6 touchdowns, earning several Freshman All – American honors and PAC 10 (12) Offensive Freshman of the Year. Had Robert Woods been eligible for last April’s NFL draft (he wasn’t; as he was not 3 years removed from his high school graduation), he would have been a lock to be the first receiver off the board. Coming off a record setting sophomore season in 2011, Woods was a finalist for the Biletnikoff award in which he posted 111 catches, 1292 yards and 15td’s. Additionally, he was a semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award.
However, in the spring of 2012, he suffered an ankle injury in a pickup basketball game that required arthroscopic surgery. The injury had a significant impact during the season and was one of the two main reasons his productivity and stock has dropped significantly from this time last year. While Woods should be recognized for his toughness and durability (he did not miss a game due to injury in his USC career), there is no question the ankle impaired his ability and explosiveness this year. Woods finished the season with 74 catches, 840 yards, 11 TD’s and a career low 11.5 yards per catch.
The other reason for the dip in productivity was the emergence of Marquise Lee in the USC program. Lee, the dynamic, playmaking sophomore became quarterback Matt Barkley’s favorite target finishing the year with an astounding 118 catches, 1721 yards, 14 TD’s and 14.6 yards per catch.
Strengths:
Woods generally has good size for an NFL receiver. At 6-1 and 185 lbs, he possesses a lanky, long build that allows him to reach over smaller defensive backs and catch the ball away from his body. He uses his body well to shield himself from defenders to make the catch. He does an excellent job of catching the ball with his hands rather than allowing it to come in to his body. He is quite agile, lean and shifty and while he does possess pure speed, he is even quicker than fast.
Woods runs the complete route tree and is exceptionally dangerous when he runs fade routes in the red zone. Woods is not afraid to run crossing routes across the middle either and often sacrifices his body to make the catch.
He possesses very good speed. He has the ability to make defenders miss and pay for it by running away from them. Woods can take a 5 yard screen and turn it into a 60 yard touchdown. Woods was a track star in high school; placing 2nd in the 400m, 3rd in the 200m and anchored the state champion 1600 meter relay team his senior year.
Woods demonstrates excellent use of his hands and has a knack for making the spectacular catch. In addition to his speed, good hands and agility, perhaps what makes him most attractive to the NFL scouts, is his versatility. In his USC career, Woods has returned both punts and kicks with regularity, having great success with both, earning All Pac 10 (12) first team honors in 2010.
Weakness:
NFL teams will certainly do a thorough check of Woods’ surgically repaired ankle to ensure there will be no future issues. Assuming the ankle checks out ok, this should not impact his draft stock significantly.
In terms of other areas of opportunity, Woods could certainly gain some weight. One weakness that I saw on tape this year was that he struggled getting off the line in press coverage due to his lack of upper body strength. Certainly, in the NFL, this will only become more of an issue if he does not continue to gain weight and bulk up. If Woods can gain an additional 20 lbs without sacrificing speed or agility, it would significantly contribute to his game.
Another question NFL teams will look to answer for themselves when they work Woods out will be to determine how much, if at all, his numbers were inflated due to top level QB play and the additional protection on the other side in WR Marquise Lee.
Summary:
Woods is a polished, complete receiver who possesses very good speed and hands. He runs excellent routes and has good size with a lanky frame. I expect him to put up very good numbers and measure out well at the combine which could improve his stock. With a very deep and talented wide receiver pool in this year’s draft, I expect Woods to be drafted in the late 2nd round.
Compares To: Reggie Wayne
