Melvin Gordon retains full PPR value with Danny Woodhead's departure
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Free-agent RB Danny Woodhead agreed to terms with the Baltimore Ravens, as discussed here. Here is a look at the value of the affected Los Angeles Chargers' fantasy options:
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
Woodhead's season-ending ACL injury suffered in Week 4 of last season allowed sophomore RB Melvin Gordon to emerge as a dominant running back in both standard and PPR formats. After playing without the 2015 star for nearly the entirety of the 2016 season, the Chargers' game plan is unlikely to change dramatically without Woodhead again in 2017.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Workload will mitigate touchdown regression
Gordon received 254 of the Chargers' 398 total carries last season, while adding 41 receptions on 57 targets for 419 yards. He scored 12 total touchdowns on 1,416 total yards and lost two fumbles. When healthy, which was for 13 games and 11 starts, he was the unquestioned workhorse as a three-down back.
RBs Branden Oliver and Kenneth Farrow remain under contract for the 2017 season. Neither one specializes as a pass-catcher. Expect the Chargers to add some form of pass-catching back through free agency or the draft, but Gordon proved proficient in the role last season, and he'll retain his every-down workload.
Per Fantasy Football Calculator, Gordon is currently the RB14 with an ADP of 6.01. His full and unquestioned workload (for now) should have him comfortably in the RB1 range, albeit toward the back end. Possession receiver Keenan Allen will cut into some of Gordon's touches, but more trips to the goal line could allow him to retain his touchdown volume.