THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Robert Woods grew up in a Los Angeles without the NFL. He joined his dad in becoming a fan of the Oakland teams that featured Rich Gannon and Tim Brown, because they were close enough, and, well, because they were good.

Having the NFL back in his hometown, and now being a part of the team that made it happen, means "everything."

"The Rams weren't here when I was playing or growing up," Woods said Friday, one day after signing a five-year contract to become one of the Los Angeles Rams' primary receivers. "The tradition still lives. The NFL team being here, having the Rams here, L.A.'s original team -- and just to be a part of it is history in itself."

Woods was born in the southern part of L.A., in a city called Carson. He attended high school just north of that, in Gardena. Then he went to USC and played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a place the Rams will call home for two more seasons. He left as the program's all-time leader in receptions -- a record Woods still possesses -- and became Buffalo's second-round pick in 2013.

Four years, 203 NFL receptions and 2,451 NFL yards later, he's back.

"The Rams made the trip home," Woods said, "and so did I."

Woods was primarily the Bills' No. 2 receiver over the past four seasons. He has yet to reach 700 yards in a single season and he only reached the end zone once last year. But he's still about a month away from turning 25, so the Rams believe there's upside. They love his ability to sell routes, particularly on in-breaking ones 15 yards down the field. They love his aptitude for playing on the outside and in the slot. And they love his physicality.

The Rams will pair him with Tavon Austin, the 5-foot-8 speedster who is very much Woods' antithesis. And they'll rely on Woods to help jumpstart an offense that has finished last in the NFL in yards each of the past two seasons; an offense with a developing franchise quarterback in Jared Goff, which is now led by an offensive-minded head coach in Sean McVay.

McVay considers him "a complete receiver," a term Woods also used to describe himself.

"I would say my biggest thing, or how I look at my game, is as a complete receiver," said Woods, who will wear No. 17, which used to belong to former starting quarterback Case Keenum. "A complete receiver needs to be able to play inside and outside. I think I can move all around the field. I can match up against quick corners. I can match up against big corners with speed and quickness."

Woods, listed at 6-foot, believes that flexibility, coupled with his highly regarded skills as a blocker, can help running back Todd Gurley get going on the ground after a horrific second season.

The Rams, hopeful of that, signed Woods on Thursday, around the same time as veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who landed a three-year deal that, like Woods, guarantees him $15 million. Adding Whitworth, a three-time Pro Bowler, means former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson will move to the right side. Woods essentially replaces Kenny Britt, who left for Cleveland.

The Rams sold Woods on coming home, but Woods insists he was sold on Goff.

"You see the talent, you see the quick release, you see him stand tall in the pocket at 6-5, great arm -- that’s one selling point right there," Woods said. "He’s a great quarterback. Other than that, just coming into a great offense. You see the coaches, what they’ve done previously. I just want to be a part of it."