Robert Woods Bio
Robert Thomas Woods (born April 10, 1992) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). A consensus All-American at the University of Southern California, he was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Woods later won Super Bowl LVI as a member of the Los Angeles Rams and currently serves as an assistant wide receivers coach for the Rams.
Across his NFL career, Woods played for the Buffalo Bills, the Los Angeles Rams, the Tennessee Titans, the Houston Texans, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished his playing career with 683 receptions for 8,233 receiving yards and 38 receiving touchdowns.
Early Life and Background
Robert Thomas Woods was born on April 10, 1992, in Gardena, California. He attended Junípero Serra High School in Gardena, where he starred in football and track and field. As a junior in 2008, he posted 81 receptions for 1,378 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense, along with 87 tackles and seven interceptions on defense.
As a senior in 2009, Woods caught 66 passes for 1,112 yards and recorded 96 tackles with eight interceptions and a forced fumble. The Serra Cavaliers defeated Oaks Christian to win the CIF Northwestern Division Championship and then beat Marin Catholic 24–20 to claim the CIF Division 3 state championship, finishing the season undefeated at 15–0. Following his senior year, Woods was recognized as a USA Today high school All-American and played in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
An accomplished sprinter, Woods was a 2010 All-USA high school track and field selection by USA Today, with personal bests of 21.04 seconds in the 200 meters and 46.17 seconds in the 400 meters. Scout.com rated him as the No. 11 prospect overall and the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in his class, and Rivals.com listed him as the No. 6 overall recruit and the No. 1 ranked athlete. He accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Southern California.
Path to American Football
Woods arrived at USC in 2010 and immediately contributed for the Trojans as a freshman, finishing the year with 65 receptions for 792 yards and six touchdowns. He also led the Pac-10 in kickoff returns with 38 and kickoff return yards with 971.
In his sophomore season in 2011, Woods produced 111 receptions for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Pac-12 in receptions and receiving touchdowns. He finished as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award and the Maxwell Award and earned Consensus All-American honors.
As a junior in 2012, Woods recorded strong performances against Colorado and Hawaii before declaring for the 2013 NFL Draft. Across three college seasons under head coach Lane Kiffin, he established himself as one of the most productive receivers in USC history and was projected as a top wide receiver prospect before ultimately being selected in the second round.
Robert Woods Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
The Buffalo Bills selected Woods in the second round (41st overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft and signed him to a four-year, $4.86 million contract. He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the New England Patriots, catching his first career touchdown on an 18-yard pass from quarterback E. J. Manuel. Woods finished his rookie year with 40 receptions for 587 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
In his second season, Woods recorded a career-high 65 receptions for 699 yards and five touchdowns, finishing second on the team in all three categories. He later adjusted to a reduced role under offensive coordinator Greg Roman in 2015, catching 47 passes for 552 yards and three touchdowns. In 2016, Woods finished with 51 receptions for 613 yards and a touchdown before becoming a free agent.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2017–2021)
On March 9, 2017, Woods signed a five-year, $34 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. In his first season under head coach Sean McVay, he caught a 94-yard touchdown reception against the Houston Texans that set a franchise record for the longest touchdown reception since 1964. He finished 2017 with 56 receptions for a career-high 781 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Rams finish atop the NFC West at 11–5.
In 2018, Woods reached 1,000 receiving yards for the first time, finishing with 86 receptions for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns. He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots, recording five receptions for 70 yards in a 13–3 loss. He was ranked 76th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
After a strong 2019 season with 90 receptions for 1,134 yards, Woods signed a four-year, $65 million contract extension in September 2020. He finished 2020 with 90 receptions for 936 yards and six touchdowns. On November 12, 2021, Woods tore his ACL during practice, ending his season, but the Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals while he was on injured reserve.
Tennessee Titans Era (2022)
On March 19, 2022, Woods was traded to the Tennessee Titans for a 2023 sixth-round pick. Despite career-low numbers, he finished as the Titans’ leading receiver with 53 catches for 527 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans released Woods on February 22, 2023.
Houston Texans Era (2023–2024)
On March 14, 2023, Woods signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans. In 2023, he appeared in 14 games with 11 starts, finishing with 40 receptions for 426 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, Woods finished with 20 receptions for 203 yards.
Driving Style and Strengths
Woods built his reputation as a precise route runner with strong hands and reliable hands over the middle of the field. He excelled as a complementary weapon in the Los Angeles Rams offense, regularly moving the chains and producing after the catch.
Notable Events and Milestones
Woods’ 94-yard touchdown reception for the Rams in 2017 stands as a career highlight, as does his role in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI championship run. Reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in 2018 also marked a defining statistical milestone in his career.
Robert Woods Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Robert Woods played 12 seasons and accumulated 683 receptions for 8,233 receiving yards and 38 receiving touchdowns. His most celebrated team accomplishment came with the Los Angeles Rams, who won Super Bowl LVI.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
Woods played his most successful stretch with the Los Angeles Rams from 2017 to 2021, earning a five-year, $34 million contract in 2017 and later a four-year, $65 million extension. He helped the franchise reach Super Bowl LIII and win Super Bowl LVI, recording his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2018 with 86 receptions for 1,219 yards.
Other Wins and Performances
Woods was recognized as a consensus All-American and a two-time first-team All-Pac-10/Pac-12 selection during his three seasons at the University of Southern California. He also reached the postseason with the Buffalo Bills during his early NFL years.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | Super Bowl LVI Champion | 2018 First-Team, 2019 First-Team | Not available |
Robert Woods Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Woods is the son of Robert Woods, who played for the Houston Oilers in 1978 and the Detroit Lions in 1979. He grew up in Gardena, California, where he attended Junípero Serra High School and developed into one of the top-ranked wide receiver recruits in the country.
Personal Life
Woods lost his sister, Olivia, to cancer on April 19, 2007, and honored her memory during his USC commencement speech. On July 7, 2018, he married his longtime partner, Alexandra Barbee. The couple has remained connected to the Los Angeles community throughout his NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
On April 28, 2025, Woods signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $2 million. He was released by the Steelers as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On September 2, Woods requested and was granted his release from the practice squad.
On February 17, 2026, Woods signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. Less than a week later, on February 23, 2026, he joined the Rams’ coaching staff as an assistant wide receivers coach, beginning the next chapter of his professional football career.
