First, let’s get this out of the way: Danny Woodhead is no Kevin Faulk.

But then again, very few players are. You could make a compelling argument that Faulk was one of the best third-down backs in the game. Utterly reliable and consistent, he was one of the best in the league when it comes to blitz pickup, and his leadership abilities made him one of the most important players in the New England locker room.

Statistically, Faulk was one of the best in the game at what he did. While he was horribly miscast as an every-down back over the first couple years of his career, he managed to slide into the role of changeup back in 2001 and found his niche. As a result, he became one of the best in the game at his position. Here’s a look at how he stacks up against the best third-down backs in recent NFL history when it comes to total yards accumulated from scrimmage. (While many of these backs also had an impact on special teams, we’ve chosen to rank them purely by their work on offense).

• Larry Centers (14 seasons): 2,188 rushing yards, 6,797 receiving yards (8,985)

• Ronnie Harmon (12 seasons): 2,774 rushing yards, 6,076 receiving yards (8,850)

• Eric Metcalf (13 seasons): 2,392 rushing yards, 5,572 receiving yards (7,964)

• Kevin Faulk (13 seasons): 3,607 rushing yards, 3,701 receiving yards (7,308)

• Chester Taylor (10 seasons): 4,740 rushing yards, 2,324 receiving yards (7,064)

• Dave Meggett (10 seasons): 1,684 rushing yards, 3,038 receiving yards (4,722)

• Brian Mitchell (14 seasons): 1,967 rushing yards, 2,336 receiving yards (4,303)

• Terry Metcalf (six seasons): 3,498 rushing yards, 2,457 receiving yards (5,955)

After four seasons, Woodhead -- who is scheduled to hit the market as a free agent next week -- is at 1,263 rushing yards and 1,069 receiving yards, a per-season average of 316 rushing yards and 267 receiving yards. Keeping in mind that the shelf life for a third-down back is considerably longer than it is for an every-down back, if Woodhead stays healthy, it’s not unreasonable to think he could play 10 seasons in the NFL. (To that point, he’s been remarkably durable in his three seasons with the Patriots -- he’s played in 45 of a possible 47 regular-season games in that stretch.) If he reaches 10 seasons at his current average, that would give him 3,160 rushing yards and 2,670 receiving yards. Those numbers wouldn’t quite put him on the short list when it comes to great third-down backs, but at least statistically, he’d be in a pretty exclusive neighborhood.

Of course, for Woodhead to be able to put up those numbers while playing in the New England offense over an extended stretch, you have to show some dependability, and that’s one of Woodhead’s strengths. As we said, he’s missed just three games in two seasons, and like Faulk, he’s has established himself as an utterly reliable presence when it comes to the passing game. His target rate is astounding -- this past season, he had 40 catches on 55 targets for a 73 percent rate, the best for any New England pass catcher who was targeted at least 10 times. (In addition, he became the first running back since Faulk to finish a season with at least 40 catches and 40 carries -- he was the second-leading rusher on the team, finishing with 301 yards on 76 carries, good for a 4.0 yards per carry average.)

Overall, since the start of the 2010 season, Woodhead has caught 92 passes for New England on 130 targets, a 71 percent rate. Combine that with one lost fumble in 365 touches since he arrived in the NFL prior to the start of the 2009 season, and it’s easy to see why he’s made his bones as a part of the Patriots’ offense.

For a modern-day comparison, Woodhead is likely a poor-man’s Darren Sproles. Neither one of them is the first, second or third options in their respective offenses, but both have managed to carve out an important part for themselves. Like Woodhead, the 5-foot-6, 190-pound Sproles struggled to find a place over his first three-plus years in the league, but with the Chargers and then Saints, he’s managed to really find his spot, and last year, he had 48 carries and 75 catches for the Saints. Over the course of his eight seasons in the league, he has 2,001 rushing yards and 2,777 receiving yards. For Sproles, another couple of seasons with his usual workload would also put him on the above list.

(Truth be told, we’re living in a golden age of quick, undersized running backs, many of who have broken through the age-old stereotype of them only working as third-down guys. Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice are examples of guys who, in previous years, would be limited to third-down only duty because of their size, but have all broken out to feature-back status. Meanwhile, there are also faster guys like Reggie Bush, Arian Foster, Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy who might have been classified that way in years past because of their speed, but have made the game work on their terms as dual threats in the running and passing game. For our purposes here, because they’ve been utilized as lead backs more than third-down backs as of late, they miss out, at least for purposes of this discussion.)

Of course, Faulk’s leadership abilities were tremendous, but it was a role he grew into. While Woodhead’s leadership abilities have yet to outwardly manifest themselves, it’s clear there’s a level of respect in the New England locker room for what he’s been able to accomplish -- particularly among the running backs -- and perhaps that can eventually translate to a greater leadership role down the road.

All of this is important to remember in the context of the upcoming free-agent period. Woodhead just wrapped up the final year of a two-year extension he agreed to it 2010, and while he doesn’t bring the same star power to the table that Wes Welker, Aqib Talib or Sebastian Vollmer could deliver, he’s become an integral part of the Patriots’ offensive scheme. No one is suggesting that New England break the bank for Woodhead; only to simply understand the sort of vital offensive option that the undersized (5-foot-8, 200-pounder) has become to the success of the Patriots’ offense.

In the wake of Shane Vereen’s multidimensional performance in the playoff win over the Texans,  (seven carries, five catches) Woodhead could suddenly expendable in free agency. But considering Woodhead’s abilities in blitz pickup, his background in the system and his dependability and durability, as well as the fact that he will likely come at a relative bargain, he should be counted as a free-agent priority for New England this offseason.

No, Danny Woodhead isn’t Kevin Faulk. But at this rate, if he sticks around Foxboro for an extended stretch, he might be the next best thing.