Despite being limited to a mere two games in 2016 due to a torn ACL, Danny Woodhead once again finds himself back on the fantasy football radar in 2017. This time around, he is a member of the Baltimore Ravens. The franchise represents Woodhead’s fourth different NFL team of his career, which also includes the New Yok Jets (2009), New England Patriots (2010 – 2012) and San Diego Chargers (2013 – 2016).

There are those that will continue to doubt Woodhead’s longevity due to his durability track record, which is understandably difficult to ignore. The Chadron State product has missed 27 regular season contests dating back to 2014. On the other hand, Woodhead also has a top-three fantasy season under his belt over that same span in 2015. In this article, I will make a case for the nine-year NFL veteran being overlooked for this upcoming season. Even more, I will attempt to convince those questioning Woodhead’s value that he is a must-have asset for 2017.

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“Must Have” Rationale

Given the volatility of the running back position in fantasy football, Woodhead stands as an appealing option to target in redraft and dynasty formats based on a cheap asking price. In fact, his ADP currently resides as the RB33 (90.8) in standard leagues and RB32 (83.3) in PPR scoring.

Assuming Woodhead is able to regain his 2013 and 2015 form, it is fair to assert that he is vastly undervalued at the present time. Keep in mind that both of those aforementioned seasons represent his most recent NFL campaigns without missing a single contest, which resulted in RB12 (2013) and RB3 (2015) finishes in PPR formats.

Another reason to value Woodhead as a must-own asset for 2017 is the support Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh have publicly displayed for the running back. Both Flacco and Harbaugh have asserted on multiple occasions how Woodhead’s skill set is an ideal fit for Baltimore’s passing game. The duo has even referred to Woodhead as the missing ingredient for the team since Ray Rice’s NFL departure. Based on all of these factors, it is imperative for fantasy owners to capitalize on Woodhead’s current cost as the 2017 regular season approaches. After all, he offers league-winning upside at his present valuation of an RB3.

Career Production

Although he has only been active for a 16-game NFL schedule three times in his career, Woodhead has registered a minimum of 40 receptions in each instance. Even more, over his past two full seasons, the 32-year-old has managed to record reception totals of 76 (2013) and 81 (2015). In each of those respective campaigns, Woodhead accumulated all-purpose yard totals on offense of 1,034 (2013) and 1,091 (2015).

Due to his versatile skill set, the 5’ 8” / 200-pound running back is a unique asset to own in fantasy circles as a rusher and receiver. Outside of David Johnson and Le’Veon Bell, there are very few tailbacks in the NFL that offer such a dynamic arsenal of tools from the backfield. Woodhead does not own the same name recognition as those elite stars, but his prior output indicates that he at least deserves considerably more praise than he’s currently receiving.

Woodhead also has a track record of operating as an efficient weapon near the red zone, as he had 15 such targets with the San Diego Chargers in 2015. This trend could continue in Baltimore with the departure of Kyle Juszcyzyk to the San Francisco 49ers, as he was heavily relied on inside the 20-yard line with 15 red zone looks over the past two seasons combined. Woodhead is expected to fill a near identical role moving forward, in addition to contributing on passing downs. A similar recipe of usage has been successful for him in the past, so a new location in the NFL should amount to close results barring an unexpected injury.

2017 Outlook

Now a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Woodhead figures to provide immediate fantasy dividends in a depleted backfield. With Kenneth Dixon now sidelined for the entire 2017 regular season because of surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Terrance West represents the lone threat to volume for Woodhead. Keep in mind that over the course of three seasons, West has failed to earn more than 193 rushing attempts in a campaign or surpass 774 yards on the ground.

Another factor working in Woodhead’s favor is the fact that he has been able to practice with no restrictions this offseason after tearing his ACL in Week 2 of 2016. Such a quick recovery figures to bode well for the running back’s immediate outlook, as he was reportedly a full participant in OTAs and minicamp.

As other owners continue to ignore Woodhead in drafts, be sure to secure his services and reap the rewards at next to no cost.

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Cory Evans is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Cory, check out his archive and follow him @CoryEvansNFL.