Fansided

Danny Woodhead gets three-year deal from the Ravens

By Brad Berreman

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) looks on from the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. 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) looks on from the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Danny Woodhead is a new member of the Baltimore Ravens, and the terms of his contract are now known.

Despite playing just two games last season with the San Diego Chargers due to a torn ACL, Danny Woodhead got some outside interest on the free agent market from the Denver Broncos. Then the Baltimore Ravens surfaced as a suitor, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported they would sign the 32-year old running back.

Kenneth Dixon has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, which the Ravens surely knew was coming as they pursued Woodhead and possibly some other free agent running backs. General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team would have signed Woodhead regardless of Dixon’s suspension, while also acknowledging a more urgent need created by that situation.

The free agent market for running backs, as has been the case in recent years, has been slow-moving early. But now, the terms of Woodhead’s deal with the Ravens have been released.

Adrian Peterson, Latavius Murray, Eddie Lacy and Jamaal Charles are notable names who are unsigned, so it’s hard to know exactly how Woodhead’s new contract will compare to the broader market for running backs. Three years does seem like a long term for an older back though, which is worth noting with Peterson being the same age (32 on Mar. 21) and Charles being 30 years old. Peterson and Charles are coming off injury-shortened 2016 seasons, like Woodhead, so perhaps a market barometer has been set now.

Related Story: 2017 NFL free agency: Top 5 running backs

In the 2013 and 2015 seasons with the Chargers, Woodhead had 76 and 81 receptions respectively. Of course the 2014 and 2016 seasons, with a total of five games played due to a broken fibula and a torn ACL, can’t be dismissed without some concern. But if healthy Woodhead can help the Ravens’ offense as a pass catcher, while perhaps taking on a bigger than expected overall role.

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