Fantasy Football Sleeper Watch 2014: Robert Woods
If your fantasy football draft is winding down and you need a flier at wide receiver, sometimes looking at some of the weaker teams at the league can actually provide receivers with the most upside based on the opportunities they could receive. One receiver who may be ready to emerge in a much bigger role than previously expected with a team whose offense needs some help is Robert Woods.
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Woods has had an outstanding preseason by all accounts even though he’s been working with the second team offense behind newly acquired Bills receivers Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams. Watkins was the Bills first round pick, and Williams has a history with Coach Doug Marrone, so it could be a long shot to expect him to supplant either of those two starters. However, Sammy Watkins left last night’s preseason finale after re-injuring his ribs. There isn’t a prognosis yet on Watkins but he could at least be limited even if he is able to play week 1. Mike Williams is healthy at this point, but he was limited to just six games last season by injury.
Even with Watkins and Williams healthy, Woods should get plenty of snaps as a third WR in Marrone’s offense which will try to play an up-tempo style of attack. Last season, Woods was the second-most targeted pass-catcher finishing with 587 yards on 40 catches and matched Marquise Goodwin and Stevie Johnson’s team-high three receiving touchdowns.
Last season, Robert Woods showed he has a solid rapport with fellow-2013 rookie E.J. Manuel and will look to build on that as they enter their second season in the league. Based on that history, a solid preseason, and the uncertainty of the depth chart in front of him, Woods is a late-round flier with upside. I wouldn’t count on him in a point-producing role to start the season, but he has potential as someone who can grow into a flex play by the time we reach bye weeks.