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Baltimore Ravens sign running back Danny Woodhead

By Ben Palmer

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Woodhead would be injured on the play. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. Woodhead would be injured on the play. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens have signed former Chargers running back Danny Woodhead. Woodhead ended last season early with an ACL tear.

The Baltimore Ravens have signed former Chargers running back Danny Woodhead, per Ian Rapport on Twitter. Woodhead’s season with the Chargers was ended prematurely last season when he tore his ACL in week two of the NFL season.

Woodhead is 32 years old and has put together a fairly solid nine-year career so far in the NFL. Woodhead was drafted by the New York Jets, then moved on to the New England Patriots before landing with the San Diego Chargers.

While Woodhead’s rushing numbers don’t necessarily look all that impressive, he’s established himself as one of the better receiving backs in the league, tallying up 2,498 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns.

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Those numbers are higher than his rushing numbers, as he’s amassed 2,182 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns during his nine years in the NFL. His last full year in the NFL was in 2015, and in that season he played 16 games, rushing for only 336 yards and three touchdowns, but catching 80 catches for 755 yards and six touchdowns.

The Baltimore Ravens needed to address the running back position, however Woodhead is not necessarily the most traditional running back. The Ravens have shown in the past, as they did with Ray Rice, that they like having a good receiving running back, certainly Joe Flacco likes having that safety net.

Woodhead will likely complement whoever will be the main running back for the Baltimore Ravens, whether that will be Terrance West, Kenneth Dixon, or another running back. Woodhead’s ability as a pass catcher spreads out the Ravens’ offense even more, which is a good thing, because defenses will have to account for Woodhead in the passing game rather than just counting out the running back.

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Woodhead is useable as a traditional running back when need be, but more than likely Woodhead will the Ravens’ third down running back, as the team is a fan of running short pass plays in those situations. He’ll be a useful asset for sure.

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