Fantasy Upside
While first-round pick Melvin Gordon struggled through a rough rookie season, Danny Woodhead became the first Chargers running back to lead the team in catches (80), receiving yards (755) and touchdowns (six) (and he also topped the 1,000-yard mark from scrimmage). He's the ultimate security blanket for quarterback Philip Rivers, who was constantly in panic mode behind a decimated offensive line last season. With Ken Whisenhunt returning as offensive coordinator after two years away, expect the versatile Woodhead to remain an integral part of the Chargers offense, especially on third downs.
Fantasy Downside
Woodhead was working with the first-team offense in OTAs, but his role and touches will definitely be dependent upon Gordon's recovery from micro-fracture knee surgery. And while he isn't without value in standard scoring leagues, Woodhead only scored in five games and is clearly better suited to PPR formats.
2016 Bottom Line
Even assuming Gordon emerges as the back the Chargers were hoping for when drafting him in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Woodhead's role has been plenty consistent (outside of 2014 when he suffered a season-ending broken ankle in Week 3). It's also worth noting that he posted stats similar to last season in 2013, during Whisenhunt's last season as play caller in San Diego (106 carries for 429 yards and two touchdowns and 76 catches for 605 yards and six touchdowns). He did so even with Ryan Mathews getting 285 carries (and 1,255 rushing yards). It's hard to find a better value play at the RB position in PPR formats.
Week 17 at Denver
Danny Woodhead was heavily involved last week with 11 carries for 55 yards and eight catches for 53 yards. In PPR leagues, that was a solid 18-point effort which included no TDs. Donald Brown had 14 carries and a TD but collected just 17 yards.
So, that means Woodhead is the better option, however it's not a great matchup for owners in Week 17 as the Broncos come in fourth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. Still, we see Woodhead as a lower-end RB2 option just from a workload perspective. This is one of those weeks where a TD would sure help out his fantasy totals. As for next year, ideally the team would like to find a back to carry the early down load while mixing in Woodhead and using him more in the passing game. He should still have PPR value next season.
Week 16 at Oakland
Danny Woodhead didn't produce a lot of yards, but had four TDs to really make anyone's fantasy day who stuck him in their lineup. While it was a great matchup, Woodhead was more a RB3 option last week, yet he produce three receiving TDs on six catches for 50 yards while adding 10 rushing yards and a rushing TD. It was his first TD of any kind since Week 9 before the bye. His 14 touches were the most since collecting 16 in Week 7.
In fact, after the bye, Woodhead wasn't doing much of anything until this past week. Those who survived without playing Woodhead last week, now have something to think about for Week 16 against the Raiders. The Raiders are 19th in allowing fantasy points to RBs and Woodhead comes in as a mid-range RB2 option this week.
Week 15 vs. Miami
The struggles for Danny Woodhead continued in Week 14. He had three rushes for five yards and three catches for eight yards. His drop in production has been since the Week 10 bye. Since then, he's averaging only seven touches per game. Over the first nine games, it was closer to 12 touches per game. Woodhead is no longer a trusted option even in what is a nice matchup against the Dolphins, who are 30th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. Even in PPR rankings, Woodhead is only a high-end RB3 play only.
Week 14 vs San Diego
It was another lackluster fantasy performance from Danny Woodhead this past week. Woodhead had just six touches - three carries for 10 yards and three receptions for 24 yards. Woodhead has put up nice fantasy numbers for PPR leagues most of this season but especially since Week 4. However, his last three weeks saw his touches at just 7-10-6 in that span with no TDs and a high of 39 receiving yards. He's ranked just 30th on our list this week in standard leagues but given his last three games he's probably better off on your bench if at all possible. The Chiefs are 11th in allowing fantasy points to RBs.
Week 13 vs Broncos
It was another struggle for Danny Woodhead owners last week as he carried four times for eight yards and added six passes, but for just 39 yards. It's been back-to-back clunkers for Woodhead, who had just seven touches in Week 11 vs. KC.
It could be another tough go over the next two weeks. Denver is 19th in allowing fantasy points to RBs, but it's possible the Chargers will play from behind in this game and need to use Woodhead in the passing game. Still, Woodhead is just a flex or high-end RB3 this week in our rankings. Woodhead also lost a bit of work in the passing game to Melvin Gordon, who had five catches for 20 yards.
Week 12 at Jacksonville
After a pretty good string of fantasy production, Danny Woodhead had a clunker in Week 11 - as did the rest of the San Diego offense. Woodhead carried six times for seven yards and added just one catch for nine yards on just two targets.
It was very unlike the SD offense in a home game against the Chiefs coming off a bye. Woodhead has a pretty favorable matchup in Week 12 going against the Jags, who are just 21st in allowing fantasy points to RBs. After last week's performance, there are certainly some risks with putting Chargers players in your fantasy lineup. Woodhead has been very good, especially in PPR leagues, this year and continues to be a lower-end RB2 play. The hope is the team gets back to using Woodhead more in the passing game.
Week 11 vs Kansas City
After a down week in Week 8, Danny Woodhead bounced back win Week 9. He ran six times for 33 yards, but added six catches for 78 yards and a TD. Those are the type of fantasy numbers owners have been used to this season from Woodhead.
This week, it's a tough matchup against the Chiefs who are 10th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. But Woodhead's bread and butter is piling up numbers in the passing game, and with Keenan Allen out and Antonio Gates banged up, Woodhead could once again be heavily involved in the passing game. Even in standard leagues, he comes in this week with a low-end RB2 ranking.
Week 9 vs. Chicago
Danny Woodhead was held in check for just the second time this season last week. A PPR-dependent back like Woodhead is usually more up and down, but it wasn't a great matchup last week for running backs against the Ravens. He finished with just three carries for nine yards and two catches for 36 yards.
This week, it could be a similar story as the Bears are just sixth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. The real damage against Chicago is done through the air and that should be the case again this week. Still, Woodhead comes in 20th in standard formats, so he's still shaping up to be an average RB2 play. The hope is he's more involved in the passing game at least, making him more valuable in PPR leagues.
Week 8 at Baltimore
Danny Woodhead ran five times for 26 yards and added 11 catches for 75 yards and two TDs last week against the Raiders. This week, Woodhead takes on the Raven who are much better against the run, but Woodhead does his damage in the passing game and even in standard leagues has RB2 potential this week. Baltimore is 11th in allowing fantasy points to RBs, but Woodhead has put together four weeks of 60-plus yards receiving, and is averaging about six catches and seven targets in that same span.
