In a surprise move Wednesday night, the NFL Network reported that the Ravens will sign free agent running back Danny Woodhead. He’s coming off a torn ACL from last year, but he’s expected to be healthy for the start of the season.
And now he has a new team in Baltimore. Woodhead, 32, spent the past four seasons with the Chargers, and he’s proven to be one of the best receivers out of the backfield, including his tenure with the Patriots from 2010-12.
In 2016, Woodhead suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in Week 2. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported in January that Woodhead was six weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery, so he should be fine for training camp.
And his role with the Ravens will likely be the same as it was with the Chargers. In 2015, Woodhead led all running backs with 81 catches, 756 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also added 97 carries for 335 yards and three touchdowns, and he was the No. 13 Fantasy running back in standard leagues.
Woodhead was limited to three games in 2014 because of an ankle injury, but in 2013 he had 76 catches for 605 yards and six touchdowns and 106 carries for 406 yards and two touchdowns, and he was the No. 18 Fantasy running back in standard formats.
With the Ravens, Woodhead will share touches with second-year running back Kenneth Dixon, although that could change after Dixon was suspended four games for violating the league’s policy on PEDs on Thursday. Terrance West is also in the mix, and we’ll see if Baltimore adds another running back based on the news with Dixon.
Before the suspension, and even after the addition of Woodhead, Dixon was still viewed as a potential No. 2 Fantasy running back. He had 88 carries for 382 yards and two touchdowns and 30 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown as a rookie in 2016, and coach John Harbaugh recently sang his praises at the NFL Combine.
“I’m a Kenneth Dixon fan,” Harbaugh said in a news conference. “I think Kenneth Dixon has proven himself. I love his personality, I love his ability. ... He’s a hard worker, and he wants to be great. I’m excited about him. I think he’s going to be a top back.”
But now Dixon’s value is on the decline, and he’s only worth drafting with a mid-round pick as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy running back. West is at best worth a late-round flier, and we’ll see if the Ravens add another running back in the NFL Draft.
As for Woodhead, he’s a No. 3 running back in standard leagues worth drafting with a mid-round pick, and his value is clearly higher in PPR. He’s worth drafting as a potential starter in PPR leagues given his track record with the Chargers, and the Ravens need help at receiver after Steve Smith retired, along with Kamar Aiken likely gone as a free agent.
Last year, the Ravens had 101 catches for 664 yards and two touchdowns on 135 targets from the top three players in their backfield with Dixon, West and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who is expected to sign as a free agent with San Francisco. Clearly, quarterback Joe Flacco likes throwing the ball to his backfield, which helps Woodhead.
Now, the Ravens did lose right tackle Rick Wagner, who is expected to sign as a free agent with Detroit, but Baltimore still has a solid offensive line with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and guards Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis. And that group has a new player to block for in Woodhead.
We didn’t expect Woodhead to sign with the Ravens, but free agency is always full of surprises. And we’ll find out soon enough if Woodhead can remain an elite receiver out of the backfield with his new team.
