Week 17 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Danny Woodhead hasn’t made much of an impact since returning from an early-season injury, even though he continues to get targets in the passing game. He had only 41 total yards on 6 touches, including 5 receptions, last week against the Colts, and he continues to split change-of-pace work with Javorius Allen. Despite a nice matchup this week, Woodhead’s shaky workload makes him hard to trust in most leagues, although he has a nice floor in deep PPR formats because he’s caught 15 passes over his last three games.
Week 16 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Danny Woodhead only had one carry last week, but he was targeted 7 times in the passing game, catching 6 balls for 31 yards. While he’s only been on the field about a third of the time since returning from injury, it’s good to see him active in the passing game again. This week, Woodhead has an excellent matchup against the Colts, and he has some upside in PPR leagues due to the number of targets he received last week. However, since he shares time with both Alex Collins and Javorius Allen, he’s hard to trust in most leagues. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.
Week 15 at Cleveland Browns
Danny Woodhead has struggled to make an impact since returning from injury, splitting change-of-pace snaps with Javorius Allen. Woodhead had only 36 yards on 6 touches last week, although he was targeted 5 times in the passing game. He’ll face the Browns this week, who have actually been average this season against opposing running backs, but having played on only 31% of the snaps over the past four games and providing minimal production, fantasy owners should look elsewhere.
Week 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Danny Woodhead is seeing about a third of the snaps over the past two weeks, although he only touched the ball 5 times last week against the Lions, for a total of 23 yards. Woodhead has some upside in PPR leagues because of his proven ability to contribute in the passing game, but with Javorius Allen still getting snaps, and Alex Collins as the primary two-down back, Woodhead is too risky to trust in most leagues.
Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions
Danny Woodhead only had 45 yards last week against the Texans, but he did have 8 touches, including 4 receptions. Woodhead is likely still getting back in the swing of things, but he was on the field for 11% more snaps in Week 12 than he was in Week 11. His role should continue to grow as the season winds down.
This week, Woodhead faces a Lions defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the running back position this year, including 61 receptions. Expect Woodhead to once again be featured fairly often in the passing game, and for his value to increase in PPR formats as a result. He’s a low-end RB2 option with upside and a high floor.
Week 12 vs. Houston Texans
Danny Woodhead returned from injury last week, and while he only gained 23 yards from scrimmage, he did get 6 touches, including 5 receptions. With 6 targets in the game, compared to only 1 for Javorius Allen, it seems clear Woodhead has reclaimed his role as the primary pass-catching back in Baltimore.
This week, Woodhead has upside against the Texans. While Houston has allowed the least amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs, they do allow an average of 4.1 receptions per game to the position. Expect Woodhead to be a reliable low-end RB2 option in PPR formats.
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Coming off a knee injury, it’s risky to assume Danny Woodhead will be back to his old self immediately in Baltimore. However, he has the ability to make a difference in the passing game, and offers more out of the backfield for Joe Flacco than starter Terrance West. Woodhead caught 80 balls in 2015 for the Chargers and was brought in to help the team on third downs.
Woodhead faces a Bengals defense that was better against the pass than the run last season, but the real question for him will be his health. He’s practicing again and should be ready to go, but he’s been dealing with a hamstring issue that’s worth monitoring. He’s a fringe RB2 option in PPR formats as long as the hamstring doesn’t keep him out of action.
Fantasy Upside
In 2015, Danny Woodhead tied with Theo Riddick for the most receptions in the league by a running back. His 80 catches for 755 yards and 6 touchdowns in the passing game made him a quality fantasy back in PPR formats, and he added 336 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Baltimore was terribly inconsistent last year in the run game, so Woodhead has a great opportunity to become the primary pass-catching back for the Ravens, while also contributing in the run game as a change-of-pace option.
Fantasy Downside
At 32 years old and coming off an ACL tear, Woodhead may lose a step in his return. Woodhead is also no threat to become an every-down back, as he’s only carried the ball over 100 times in a season once during his eight-year career. The Baltimore offense is inconsistent in fantasy production as well, and Terrance West will get a lot of work on first and second down.
2017 Bottom Line
Woodhead could be a steal with an ADP in the eighth round in PPR leagues. Joe Flacco’s running backs combined to catch 118 passes last season, and Kyle Juszczyk took his 37 receptions to San Francisco in free agency. With Kenneth Dixon out for the season, Woodhead has tremendous upside and high receiving potential, making him a legit RB2 in PPR formats.
Week 2 vs. Jacksonville
Even with a pretty nice game from Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead didn't disappoint owners who played him in Week 1. He ran 16 times for 89 yards and added five catches for 31 yards and a TD. Before last week's game, Woodhead had struggled against the Chiefs. Also worth noting is Gordon got just six touches in the second half despite scoring two TDs earlier in the game.
Woodhead is 15th on our PPR RB list with a favorable matchp against the Jags, who are just 24th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. He should obviously be in lineups. With no Keenan Allen at WR, Woodhead looks like he could be a more consistent fantasy point getting going forward. Woodhead doesn't have a red matchup (unfavorable) until Week 13 against Tampa Bay so that's another thing owners should keep in mind. He did struggle last year in a matchup against Jacksonville, collecting just four rushes for eight yards and six catches for 39 yards.
Week 1 at Kansas City
Danny Woodhead comes into this season after hauling in 81 passes for 756 yards and six TDs in 2015. He's again poised to be one of the better PPR backs thanks to his pass-catching abilities. Owners who used the Zero-RB approach and grabbed Woodhead as their RB2 are hoping for more of the same in 2016, however, it may be a tough go in Week 1.
Woodhead and the Bolts travel to KC in Week 1. The Chiefs rank third in allowing fantasy points to RBs, so it's not a great matchup for Woodhead. Also factor in Woodhead's numbers against the Chiefs last season. In two games he combined for 9 carries for 12 carries to go along with a combined 4 receptions for 17 yards. It's going to be hard to bench Woodhead on Week 1. He's still a low end RB2 play in PPR leagues, but if you have someone you feel safer with, owners may want to go with another option.
