Ravens expected to use 3-headed approach at RB

Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com believes that three Ravens running backs will have significant roles in 2017. Free agent acquisition Danny Woodhead joins a crowded backfield and will compete for snaps with the team’s leading rusher in 2016, Terrance West, and former fourth-round pick, Kenneth Dixon, who will begin the year serving a four-game suspension.
Mink expects West to see the bulk of the carries on early downs. Last season, 93.2 percent of West’s rushing yards came on first and second down, and 69.8 percent came on first down alone, ranking fourth among 42 running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts. He also averaged 2.63 yards after contact per attempt – 11th out of 25 running backs with more than 160 carries.
Dixon will make his case for an expanded role when he returns in Week 5. After missing the first four weeks of 2016 recovering from a knee injury, Dixon made an impact in the second half of the season, racking up 372 rushing yards and 156 receiving yards on 37 targets Weeks 9 through 17. He finished second in yards after contact per attempt (3.05) among rookie running backs with at least 40 carries during that span.
Woodhead has primarily been a factor in the passing game throughout his career, and he looks to continue this trend as he makes his way back from a knee injury that cost him most of the 2016 season. In 2015, Woodhead led all running backs with 755 receiving yards while causing 19 missed tackles on receptions.