Some LA Rams rumors suggest team may still be shopping at trade deadline

(1) - Houston Texans WR Robert Woods to LA Rams

It's almost a shame that the Houston Texans seem to have no role for veteran wide receiver Robert Woods. At 32 years old, Woods best playing days are likely behind him. But his role has diminished over time to the point where he has 104 offensive snaps in five games. He was even a healthy scratch in Week 6.

He knows the Rams offense, and he could be productive for HC Sean McVay in 2024, particularly as the Rams offense struggles to reorient to the absence of both WR Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

Why would or wouldn't the Texans do this?

The Houston Texans are in the hunt for more than a berth in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. The Texans want to advance and compete on the big stage. And while he has a minimal role now, Robert Woods is a veteran with plenty of Super Bowl experience. So he does become a valuable insurance policy for the team.

But is that enough? Like the other two players named by Knox, Woods current role in beneath what he could add to an NFL team, and that creates value that could trigger trade discussions. Woods is capable of adding 500+ yards and multiple touchdowns to the right offense in the right role. We know that the Rams offense has benefited from Woods in the past. Do the Rams still see that value in Woods in 2024?

Why would or wouldn't the Rams do this?

Hey, GM Les Snead been circling back to a number of former players to add to the Rams roster of late, and WR Robert Woods is a player who is still respected by the fans and organization. Woods was injured in the team's run for Super Bowl LVI, and that has added a bit of extra respect to the memories of 'Bobby Trees' playing in The Horns.

But that 2021 NFL season was not as smooth as you may think. Prior to 2021, both Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp had a level of parity in the Rams offense. But with the arrival of veteran QB Matthew Stafford, Kupp skyrocketed to the top of the NFL, and Woods faded into a much-less prominent role. And then there is the realization that the Rams struggles did not just start. Rather, the Rams WR room was depleted after Week 2. If the Rams held any interest in trading for veteran WR Robert Woods, that window opened a month ago. So, why now?

Conclusion:

While I personally would love to add venerable veteran WR Robert Woods to mentor and work with the team's new young receivers, I fear that the Rams current 1-4 record is a bit prohibitive to the team's future plans. If the Rams get back into position, then a trade for Robert Woods could make some sense. But if the team continues to struggle? Why would this team bother to add a seldom-used veteran at the cost of a draft pick?

Of course, the team finaly acquiesced to adding DB Ahkello Witherspoon, so there may be some hope to getting Bobby Trees back in Horns. Still, I wouldn't count on it.

Grade: C- - Slightly below average

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