Ozzie is busy tonight! After reportedly agreeing on a deal with free agent safety Tony Jefferson earlier, and then locking up backup QB Ryan Mallett, the Ravens have now reportedly on the verge of signing FA RB Danny Woodhead. RSR Staff react to the news here:
Source: The #Ravens are signing former #Chargers RB Danny Woodhead. He’s fully healthy after ACL surgery in 2016. Big pickup.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
Tony Lombardi
There’s been talk about the Ravens adding to their backfield with a change-of-pace kind of player. Danny Woodhead fits that mold. Despite his size, he’s solid in pass-pro and he instantly becomes the Ravens offensive Swiss Army Knife. Buck Allen and/or Lorenzo Taliaferro have probably played their last down as a Raven. If there’s an addition to the backfield, it will be a traditional fullback via the draft or a rookie free agent. Temper the enthusiasm (assuming you had any) for Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook.
Dev Panchwagh
This was a stealth pickup. There is some concern because Woodhead’s injury was a nasty one. and his game is predicated on making cuts in the open field. But when he’s right, there might not be a better all-around third-down back. He’s a move guy who can pick up the blitz and also give you 8-10 quality carries. It’s funny because I brought up Juice in comparison to Woodhead in our free agency preview. Guess the Ravens decided to go after the original instead.
Brian Bower
Interesting move by Ozzie and company. Woodhead is another pass-catching back who can move the chains. He’s a better version of Juice for what’s likely half the cost.
Joe Polek
Why not? You can expect a lot of the same, when it comes to dump offs. Woodhead probably fills the slot left by losing Kyle Juszczyk. These veteran signings likely mean the team plans to use a lot of young players elsewhere.
Ryan Jones
Sneaky pickup by Ozzie as Woodhead has been somewhat lost in the shuffle in the early stages of free agency. He replaces Kyle Juszczyk as the Ravens’ new jack-of-all-trades and could be a valuable tool for Flacco and the offense. While the losses the Ravens suffered today were significant, I really like the pickups of Woodhead and Jefferson.
Tyler Lombardi
The Ravens desperately needed a back that can block in passing situations, and they got one. Unlike Juszczyk though, he is more than just a bulldozer when he catches passes out of the backfield. The Ravens find one of the most underrated talents in the league. Nice move, Oz!
Ken McKusick
FA signings don’t get much less exciting than a 32-year-old tiny RB who had 6 catches and 19 carries last season. The Ravens believe he has something in the tank and he did have a good year at age 30. I’m waiting on the price, but the Ravens now need a back who can block on passing downs.
