RB Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers

HT: 5-7, WT: 195, Born: 1-25-1985, College: Chadron State, Drafted: ---

2013 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 11th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: L James (144), S Holmes (145), Danny Woodhead (146), B Pettigrew (147),
Position: P Thomas (140-RB52), L James (144-RB53), Danny Woodhead (146 - RB54), M Bush (151-RB55), J Randle (155-RB56)
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PPR Average draft position

Current as of June 11th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: E Sanders (120), Danny Woodhead (122), M Bennett (123), M Vick (124)
Position: D Williams (115-RB45), I Pead (118-RB46), Danny Woodhead (122 - RB47), R Hillman (127-RB48), R Williams (131-RB49)
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Outlook

Woodhead was an undrafted free agent who originally signed with the Jets, but had his most productive seasons with the New England Patriots. He became a free agent in 2013 and signed with the Chargers. He is generally viewed as a situational player rather than as a potential starter. He has a small frame, but is exceptionally quick and is especially effective in the passing game. While Ryan Mathews is expected to get most of the work on early downs, Woodhead could supplant Ronnie Brown as the team's primary third-down back and two-minute-drill back. If Mathews is unable to remain healthy, Woodhead and Brown may form a committee to fill in for him.

Latest News

Chargers | Ryan Mathews says he's been average, makes changes (Thu Jun 13, 01:33 PM) - San Diego Chargers RB Ryan Mathews said he's 'been just an average back.' After bulking up last year in an effort to absorb hits more effectively, he has leaned out this year while also incorporating different stretches to stay flexible. Mathews is also studying more, specifically changing and working on understanding his blocking technique.

Our View: Mathews is right, his NFL career has been a disappointment. This was the guy drafted to be the replacement for future Hall of Fame RB LaDainian Tomlinson and he's played more like Rod Bernstein. We'll see if Mathews can stay healthy, keep his confidence up, and play up to his potential in 2013.
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Chargers | Danny Woodhead to have noteworthy role (Wed Jun 12, 07:45 PM) - San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy lauded RB Danny Woodhead for his versatility and expects him to be in a lot of offensive packages this coming year.

Our View: Woodhead is a great change of pace option for the Chargers behind starter Ryan Mathews. With Mathews' durability issues using more of Woodhead is a smart idea. We like Woodhead as a flex option in 2013. His current ADP is RB46 and he's coming off the board at 9.11 in 12 team PPR leagues.
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2013 Schedule

2012 Game Summaries

Week 2 - Woodhead looked good reading his blocking but more often than not, didn’t get far on his carries. He did have a TD called back – a very nice run from just inside the 30 in the final minute.

Week 3 - An average of 2.2 yards per carry pretty much sums up Woodhead’s day. His long was a gain of six but the highlight of his night was a third quarter touchdown. He did get better as the night went – which is encouraging since defenses typically don’t gain energy through the course of the game – but the Ravens were not allowing the Patriots any running room. His 15 carries were a career high.

Week 4 - Woodhead only saw a few snaps and didn't have any carries. His first reception was caught underneath as the coverage dropped deep on third down. He was tackled by two defenders as soon as he caught the ball short of the first down. His second reception went for a touchdown as he initially ran into the flat, before running back inside when he saw Brady extending the play to his side of the field. Woodhead did well to find the space and then beat two defenders into the endzone for the touchdown.

Week 5 - Woodhead received plenty of playing time as the Patriots used the hurry-up and spread formations regularly in this game. Woodhead converted two of the biggest third downs of the day, once on the ground and once through the air. On third-and-long, Woodhead carried the ball from a traditional run formation to convert and get the Patriots into field goal range. Brady was under pressure on another occasion and found Woodhead as the outlet receiver, saving the drive.

Week 6 - The most effective of the RBs on Sunday was scat and passing down back Danny Woodhead. He carried the ball just 4 times for 25 yards but contributed more in the passing game to the tune of 5 receptions for 46 yards, including a nifty 22-yard pickup where he fell, got up and scampered down the right sideline for a big first down. Woodhead is the clear favorite in the passing game of all New England RBs and excels in underneath routes where he can pick up yards after the catch.

Week 7 - Woodhead was a fixture on third downs. Regardless of situation, Woodhead played on most third downs and did an excellent job with his pass blocking. Woodhead’s biggest play occurred during his team’s ninth drive. On a 1st-and-10 from midfield, Woodhead leaked out of the backfield, hauled in Brady’s pass, and picked up 20 yards. Woodhead ran with a low pad level and launched himself into oncoming defenders for extra yardage. Two plays later, Brady came back to Woodhead for a seven yard gain that led to Stephen Gostkowski’s game-tying field goal. Throughout the game, the Patriot gave Woodhead a few delayed handoffs between the tackles, but he clearly lacks the size and leg drive to be a featured, inside runner. While Woodhead doesn’t offer much as a runner between the tackles, he is valuable as an outlet receiver and a pass blocker.

Week 8 - Woodhead looked almost indecisive when taking a handoff out of the backfield and struggled to pick up anything in the running game. He looked anything but indecisive receiving the ball, finishing second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards. His 16 yard gain in the first quarter came out of the slot on a pick route that certainly should have been called. The remainder of his receptions came out of the backfield and a majority of the time linebackers were just nowhere close to him when he caught the ball. He did get one goal line carry and was stuffed.

Week 10 - Woodhead only received one carry on Sunday, but absolutely made the most of it. With the Bills clearly expecting a pass with Woodhead in the backfield, the RB took the carry through a gaping hole in the line and walked into the end zone untouched for the 15-yard TD. Woodhead was 3rd on the team with six targets in the passing game, catching four for 46 yards with a long of 18 yards that went for a TD. Working out of the backfield, Woodhead was left uncovered and with Brady feeling pressure, provided a nice release for the QB. Woodhead wasn’t touched until he was diving into the end zone. Woodhead also set up his own TD run, picking up 15 yards on an angle route out of the backfield, easily beating the coverage from Nick Barnett.

Week 12 - Danny Woodhead has taken a backseat to Ridley and Vereen. During the first half, Woodhead took his lone carry up the middle for an eight-yard gain. Woodhead’s small stature allowed him to get under Bart Scott’s pad level and drive through him for additional yardage. During the second half, Woodhead ran a drag route on a 3rd-and-5 play for eleven yards and a first down.

Week 13 - Woodhead was his usual efficient self against Miami. He had eight total touches and was elusive in space. The few times he gaining minimal yardage came on runs up the middle where the defense was not fooled on traditional draw looks. Shane Vereen has definitely cut into Woodhead’s playing time, limiting his weekly upside outside of a random red zone look that gets him into the end zone.

Week 14 - Woodhead spelled Ridley out of the backfield on Monday night against the Texans. He only had one carry but did serve as a pass protector on a number of shotgun formation plays. He also had two receptions on short, outlet patterns as well. Woodhead's best play came on a reception in the fourth quarter. On the play, Woodhead hauled in the screen pass and made a number of cuts up the left sideline showing his speed and agility in the open field. He was stripped of the ball by JJ Watt but the fumble was recovered in the endzone by Brandon Lloyd.

Week 15 - With the fumbling problems of his backfield compatriots, Woodhead received the most carries of the three. He also had much more success than the other two, as his size and quickness gave the 49ers’ defense fits. Add in the additional space afforded by the injury to Justin Smith, the anchor of the 49ers’ defensive line, and Woodhead was able to sprint through small holes and make cuts to space. When a small gap opened, Woodhead had the vision to make the cut and he was quick enough to elude the defenders’ arms as they grasped for him. On his long run of 15 yards, Woodhead was able to sprint through a large tunnel and the cut past the safety to run through the second level. Even with his size, Woodhead showed a great amount of strength on his touchdown run, taking the carry left and then cutting back inside. The tackler met him at the goal line and Woodhead spun around, churning his legs to push his way in to the end zone. Woodhead’s second touchdown came on a quick snap at the goal line, and with San Francisco backed on to their own heels, Woodhead was able to sprint through a hole in to the end zone. Woodhead also contributed a good amount in the passing game, running short routes out of the backfield and catching the ball when he had enough separation, but when tightly covered Woodhead was unable to make the catch.

Week 16 - Woodhead was once-again one of the most efficient offensive players for New England. He totaled 45 yards on just five touches, including a swing pass touchdown. The pass nearly hit him in the facemask, but Woodhead corralled the ball at the last second and scurried into the end zone down the sideline. Early in the game, he also added a 24-yard screen pass, showing great acceleration into the wide open area of the field.

Week 17 - Woodhead was once-again the waterbug back whose uber-efficiency is a marvel to watch. He gained 97 yards on just eight touches against the Miami defense, catching all five of his targets. Woodhead rarely gets cheated out of yards when the ball is in his hands and this week was no exception. Whether it was a dump-off reception outside or a draw play inside, he maximized the potential gain. On four occasions Woodhead picked up 10+ yards in the open field. He has a great feel for his spatial surroundings on the field, which melds with Tom Brady’s field vision perfectly. His best chance to score came in the red zone when he was tackled at the two-yard-line on a rushing attempt. While his involvement in the offense varies from week-to-week, Woodhead had eight games of 10+ PPR points this season. That is on par with many RB2-type backs in fantasy. With Woodhead being an unrestricted free agent this off-season, he will be a player to track. He could have a big impact on players like Ridley and Vereen in New England as well as backs on a potential new team.

Week 19 - Woodhead only received one carry, the game’s first. Unfortunately, Woodhead was injured on that lone carry and did not return to the game.

Week 20 - Woodhead's first involvement was a run up the middle on third and two when he was stopped after a gain of a yard. On the very next play, fourth and one, the Patriots surprised the Ravens' defense with a direct snap to Woodhead for the conversion over left guard. Woodhead took a three yard carry over the center from the shotgun formation on second and 10. Woodhead was doing good things on his limited snaps. On third and three, he came out of the backfield for a first down reception that was negated by a holding penalty in the backfield. Woodhead caught a quick pass in the flat within the final two minutes of the game for 13 yards.