Why Robert Woods is underrated on the Buffalo Bills’ Roster

The Buffalo Bills have plenty of talent on both defense and offense. Everyone knows the big names; Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus, Stephon Gilmore, Fred Jackson, Sammy Watkins, Charles Clay, and Percy Harvin; the list could go on and on. However, through all those names, there’s one name that’s never mentioned as much as it should be, which may not be such a bad thing for Buffalo Bills fans. That name is Robert Woods; the Bills’ third year receiver who is quietly making a name for himself as a reliable receiver who can get open and make plays when his number is called.

Having a receiver with Robert Woods’ abilities and skill set is something that should help new offensive coordinator Greg Roman get settled in very nicely in Western New York. Sure, he had talent in San Francisco with Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and Frank Gore. But he’s never had a receiving corps as talented and deep as the one he inherited when he moved to the East Coast. Let’s take a look at some film and breakdown why Robert Woods is so reliable and an invaluable asset to the Buffalo Bills.

This first clip is from the Bills’ Week 16 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. With the Bills trailing 26-17 with 1:18 left in the game, the offense was driving deep in Oakland territory. Fred Jackson had just given the Bills a new set of downs after receiving a pass from Kyle Orton and getting to the sticks. On the next play, Orton was running the offense out of the shotgun with Woods and Hogan lined up to his right. Robert Woods is the outside receiver and runs a go route to the end zone. After buying some time with his legs, Orton scrambles to his right and finds Woods in double coverage for a touchdown. The defense didn’t account for him, and he was basically open from the snap. His route running ability is on par with some of the best receivers in the game, and the QB can rely on him to be where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there. While the touchdown was meaningless and the Bills didn’t win the game, Woods was one of the highlights in an otherwise lackluster performance for the Bills.

The next clip is from the Bills’ Week 17 matchup against the division rival New England Patriots. This was the first play of the second quarter, with the Bills leading 7-3 and the ball at their own 46-yard line. Once again, Orton is out of the gun, this time with Woods lined up as the outside receiver to his left. Orton fakes the handoff to Dixon, and Woods runs a drag route with a defender closing in on him. As Woods begins his break to the inside, Orton delivers the ball just in front of Robert Woods, where he dives forward to make the catch after a 20-yard gain. Once again, Woods’ route running ability allows him to get separation from a defender even when he’s covered, something that the best receivers in the NFL can do on a weekly basis.

The final clip is from the Bills’ Week 12 matchup against another division rival, the New York Jets. In a scoreless game with 11:34 remaining in the first quarter, the Bills are once again driving down field. On 2nd and 8 from the Jets’ 30-yard line, the offense lines up in the single back formation with Woods lined up as the single receiver to Orton’s right. Orton takes a three step drop with Woods running a comeback route. As Orton releases the ball, the defender closes in on Woods, who quickly adjusts to another underthrown ball by Orton. The catch gave the Bills a 16-yard gain and another first down. A few plays later, Orton connects with Woods for a 7-yard touchdown pass in route to the second blowout in as many games against the Jets. This play shows just how well Woods can make adjustments to a poorly thrown ball and still is able to run his route and make plays with a defender covering him tightly.

The one thing that is constant with all these clips is that Robert Woods is a workhorse who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, which may be just what he wants. By keeping the spotlight off him, he can focus on continuing to contribute and make big plays when the Bills need him the most. With all the acquisitions the Bills have made this offseason, and with Sammy Watkins expected to have another great season, Woods may be the most underrated player on the roster. But his talent speaks for itself, and this may be the season he begins to get recognized for all his hard work.

Alex Rugile @alexrugile

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