RicoDowdle

News: 4 days agoDowdle rushed twice for two yards and secured his only target for 15 yards in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.

Spin: The offseason addition entered the game after Chuba Hubbard, with Dowdle logging his first touch on the first third down of the Panthers' third drive of the afternoon. Dowdle recorded his 15-yard catch on that play and then netted his two rushing yards over the next two snaps to wrap up his afternoon. A 1,000-yard rusher in 2024 with the Cowboys, Dowdle appears slotted for a solid but still complementary role alongside Hubbard going into the 2025 regular season.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Dowdle signed with Carolina after spending his first four seasons in Dallas. Rarely utilized during his first two years with the Cowboys, Dowdle worked his way up to a backup role in 2023 before fending off Ezekiel Elliott for lead-back duties in 2024. He appeared in 16 games and ranked in the top 20 among backs in carries, rushing yards, receptions, touches and scrimmage yards. Dowdle found the end zone only five times in Dallas' struggling offense, however, which limited him to a 24th-place finish in fantasy points per game. The 27-year-old showed well in a tough situation, but he'll enter 2025 as a clear backup to Chuba Hubbard, with rookie Trevor Etienne also a threat for work. Dowdle has some deep-league insurance appeal, though he would max out as a RB2/flex even if called on to start.