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Fantasy Gold Week 7: Patriots’ Danny Woodhead, Little Guy Lotta Heart

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I love you too Mr Brady. It just feels right…

Danny Woodhead is the running back with the quirky name from the college that nobody knows. 

In fact, Woodhead may be the only running back in the NFL whose career college rushing yards outnumber the population of his college town, Chadron, Nebraska.  The tally? 7,441 yards to 5,437 people. 

When Woodhead graduated from Chadron State in 2007, he held the NCAA all-divisions career rushing record.   He was not invited to the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine, so he hosted his own pro day. 

Rumor has it Woodhead turned in a mid-4.3s in his 40-yard dash and threw down a surprising 38.5 inch vertical leap.  Despite his impressive showing, the Nebraska native failed to join former Bills wide receiver Don Beebe as the only Chadron State grad to be selected in the NFL Draft. 

The Jets offered him a deal as soon as the draft was over.  Woodhead spent his rookie season on injured reserved, then returned to the Jets in 2009 as a receiver.  The Jets cut Woodhead on September 14, 2010.  Four days later, he was a New England Patriot.

Week 6 Stats: 11 carries, 63 yards; 5 catches, 52 yards

Projections:
Woodhead splits time with fellow running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.  In the Patriots last game against the Ravens, Woodhead had 11 carries to Green-Ellis’ ten.  It’s difficult to predict which New England running back will get the carries.  It always is.  However, we know that Sir Belichick likes to turn ordinary players into exceptional ones. 


Woodhead’s ability to catch the ball and his beefy yards-per-carry, 6.4, hint at some decent upside.  Even if he doesn’t score, there’s a good chance he’ll have the yards to make up for it. 

New England’s remaining schedule is littered with paper tiger rush defenses: Indianapolis, Detroit, Buffalo, and Green Bay.  However, the Patriots also face some bone-crushing elite rush defenses: Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and the New York Jets.  

Play Woodhead against the weaklings and there’s a good chance he’ll reward you.  In PPR his value is increased even more. Best of all, as of Monday Woodhead is only owned by 19% of Y! teams.

Written by James Duren, exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.

Think Danny Woodhead has found a home in New England? Will he fantasy relevant?
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Advice, Danny Woodhead,  James Duren, Gold Mine, Week 7, New England Patriots, New York Jets
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