Week 7 at Oakland
Danny Woodhead ran just seven times for eight yards last week. He did catch five balls for 63 yards on seven targets. Those have been pretty typical numbers for Woodhead the last two weeks. He's averaging about six targets a game. This week, it's a tough matchup as the Raiders are 10th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. It's the first of three-straight matchups against teams in the top-10 in that category (the Ravens and Bears are next), but Woodhead is a big threat in the passing game. With Melvin Gordon's fumbles last week, Woodhead is rated as the top Bolts back in terms of fantasy potential this week.
Week 6 at Green Bay
Danny Woodhead had nine touches last week, running for just 10 yards on four carries, but he did catch five balls for 66 yards on seven targets. He saw a season-low 39-percent of the snaps in Week 5.
Meanwhile, Melvin Gordon was a much bigger factor catching seven passes for 52 yards and rushing 15 times for 42 yards. The team would like to get Gordon more involved, but that could come at Woodhead's expense. The Packers are 20th in fantasy points allowed to RBs, and this could be the type of game where the Chargers need Woodhead to be a big factor. Beware of the potential rise of Gordon, however.
Week 5 vs Pittsburgh
Danny Woodhead saw his touches climb in Week 4 after decreasing over the first three weeks. Woodhead carried eight times last week for 54 yards and added four receptions for 84 yards. He had just eight touches last week.
Woodhead ranks ahead of Melvin Gordon this week and has been making more of his opportunities than the rookie has. The Steelers rank sixth against the run, so Woodhead's pass-catching ability may be a big part of the Chargers game plan for Week 5. Woodhead is much more safer in PPR leagues, but even in standard leagues, he has a chance to be more productive than Gordon this week.
Week 4 vs Cleveland
Danny Woodhead finished with five carries for 11 yards and three catches for 32 yards in Week 3. Unfortunately for owners, he's seen his touches fall from 16 in Week 1 to 13 in Week 2 to just eight in Week 3. Still, he's ranked 15th in PPR formats among running backs this week, so we think he continues to be a safe play. It's a nice matchup, too, getting a Browns squad who ranks just 27th in allowing fantasy points to RBs.
Week 3 at Minnesota
Danny Woodhead was once again a big factor in the Chargers offense in Week 2. He saw seven carries for 36 yards and added six receptions for 68 yards. It was a pretty productive day for what Woodhead is - a low-end RB2, flex type of back for PPR leagues. This week, he has a real nice matchup as the Bolts travel to Minnesota. The Vikings are 27th in allowing fantasy points to RBs, and Woodhead ranks above rookie Melvin Gordon in both formats. Woodhead comes in ranked 10th among backs in PPR leagues.
Week 2 at Cincinnati
Back from his season-ending leg injury from last year, Danny Woodhead exploded back on the scene in Week 1. He ran 12 times for 42 yards and two TDs while adding four catches for 20 yards on seven targets.
Rookie Melvin Gordon had 14 carries, so it was almost an even split between the two. Woodhead owners should probably take advantage of Gordon's early-season struggles as the rookie did fumble and still can't be counted on for pass protection. Woodhead should especially continue to shine in PPR leagues, but proved in Week 1 he's going to get some carries, too.
Week 1 vs Detroit
Back from injury, Danny Woodhead will be a PPR maven once again, picking up where he left off last year and during his time with the Patriots. Woodhead should see a lot of passing-down work and is a much safer blocker in pass protection than Melvin Gordon right now. In PPR formats, Woodhead comes in ranked as RB 24 on our list this week, so he's a low-end RB2 option against the Lions in Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
With Ryan Mathews now in Philly, the depth chart at running back in San Diego features first-round rookie Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Donald Brown. Gordon will open up as the de facto lead back, but Woodhead’s pass catching ability should lead to a significant role in the offense again this season. Woodhead’s second year in San Diego ended abruptly with a broken leg in the third game of the season, resulting in an extended rehab period that he says left him even hungrier to succeed on the field than when he was trying to get his foot in the door. “It’s been a long process,” Woodhead said. “I’m always excited, but my mentality might even be younger and hungrier than ever before.”
Fantasy Downside
The crowded field at running back isn't as much of a concern as the presence of Gordon at the top of the heap. The rookie is certainly first in line to get the bulk of the workload (although playing second-fiddle is the norm for Woodhead).
Bottom Line
While expecting him to duplicate his 76-catch 2013 campaign is probably a reach, it’s not out of the realm of possibility and his nose for the end zone adds to the positive vibe. That being the case, his current value as RB48 ADP makes him of interest to me.
Week 3 - Woodhead vs. Buffalo
Danny Woodhead was a lot more involved in Week 2 than Week 1, which is pretty much how last season shaped up for him as well. Woodhead had eight carries for 32 yards and added four catches for 28 yards against Seattle.
He could be a little more involved this week with the loss of Ryan Mathews. While Donald Brown is expected to take a lot of Mathews' work running the ball, don't be surprised if Woodhead gets a few more touches. He's still more valuable in PPR leagues and should especially be involved in the passing game. He's worth a flex play.
Week 2 vs. Seattle
It was another tough start to the season for Danny Woodhead who finished with six carries for five yards, but only had one catch for six yards.
This is how Woodhead started last year before the team started giving him consistent touches from Week 2 through the rest of the year. So, owners can hold on to that hope at least for another week. Woodhead has a touch matchup against Seattle this week so he probably is better off being left on benches. The matchups get easier from Week 3 through Week 12, with only the Jets in Week 5 as a potential tough game. Woodhead owners should probably stay patient in the meantime.
