Rico Dowdle
Running Back
Ht: 5' 11" Wt: 215 Age: 27 Exp: 0 years College: South Carolina Drafted: Undrafted
Avg FF PTS
13.64
Per Game
Cumulative FF PTS
218.3
Position Rank: 17th
Projected FF PTS
N/A
Week 22
Upside / Downside
-7
Week 22
Posted: 4/12/2026 7:41 pm GMT
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren posted a career-high 958 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in 2025, and he added 40 receptions for 333 yards and two scores. Still, Pittsburgh ranked just 26th in the NFL in rushing, and it now has a new head coach in Mike McCarthy. In addition, RB Rico Dowdle was brought it by the organization, so Warren will have stiff competition. "Moving forward, whatever the coaches have planned, I know we're ready to execute it," Warren said.
Huddle Up: Warren might be in more of a timeshare with Dowdle, a fellow undrafted free agent. He exceeded expectations in 2025, and he could be in line for a bit of a regression in terms of carries, with Dowdle figuring the factor in for a good share of the backfield touches. Warren is still worth attention as a RB3 or flex fantasy option in 2026, but with QB questions, and a total touches breakdown question, Warren's fantasy outlook is a tad murky at the moment.
Posted: 3/13/2026 5:11 pm GMT
Free-agent RB Rico Dowdle (Panthers) officially signed his two-year, $12.25 million contract on Friday, March 13.
Huddle Up: Dowdle makes the Steelers' backfield very interesting, but hard to figure out for fantasy players. The departure of Kenny Gainwell will allow for touches to open up, but training camp will need to unfold to figure out if Dowdle or Jaylen Warren is the piece to own in the backfield.
Posted: 3/09/2026 11:23 pm GMT
Impending free-agent RB Rico Dowdle (Panthers) and the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly agree to terms on a contract, according to Jordan Schultz on Monday, March 9. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Huddle Up: Dowdle took the NFL by storm in Weeks 5 and 6, where he rushed for 206 and 183 yards in back-to-back weeks. He would put up just one more 100-yard game all season, but he ended up with 1,373 all-purpose yards and seven combined touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers in 2025. However, Dowdle appeared to lose playing time to Chuba Hubbard down the stretch. Dowdle lands in Pittsburgh, where he'll be in the mix for touches with Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson. He should be able to carve out a role in the Steelers' committee backfield, but that role isn't very fantasy relevant. With contingent upside should Warren go down, Dowdle would be a solid RB2 for fantasy. He should be drafted with the other backup running backs at the end of 2026 fantasy drafts.
Posted: 3/08/2026 3:54 pm GMT
Impending free-agent RB Rico Dowdle (Panthers) is believed to be of interest to the Washington Commanders this offseason, according to multiple league sources.
Huddle Up: Dowdle had 1,373 all-purpose yards and seven combined touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers in 2025 but appeared to lose playing time to Chuba Hubbard down the stretch. Regardless of where Dowdle lands in free agency, he is likely to be part of a running back committee in 2026 and could be an RB3 option in some fantasy leagues depending upon his role.
Posted: 2/25/2026 8:57 pm GMT
Carolina Panthers impending free-agent RB Rico Dowdle is a player the Panthers are open to re-signing this offseason, according to general manager Dan Morgan.
Huddle Up: Dowdle seemed to drop behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart at the end of the 2025 season, so he may want to look for a bigger role with another team. He should see a good amount of touches no matter where he plays in 2026 and can be a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Posted: 1/31/2026 5:54 pm GMT
Carolina Panthers impending free-agent RB Rico Dowdle may not return to the team next season since he likely will ask for a high salary this offseason, and the team already has RB Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks on the roster, in the opinion of ESPN.com's David Newton.
Huddle Up: Dowdle saw his role decrease during the second half of the season, so there is a good chance that he will be with a new team in 2026. He will likely be part of a committee with a team next season and can be a No. 3 running back in some leagues depending on his role.
Posted: 1/11/2026 5:34 pm GMT
Carolina Panthers impending free-agent Rico Dowdle said his decreased role late in the season will impact his interest in returning to the team. Dowdle said he wants to play for a team where he receives a majority of the carries during the game.
Huddle Up: Dowdle was the starting running back for the Panthers during the middle of the season, but Chuba Hubbard received most of the work at the end. Dowdle should receive interest from teams if he hits the free-agent market and can be at least a No. 3 running back if he finds a good role.
Posted: 1/11/2026 12:04 am GMT
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young completed 21 of his 40 passes for 264 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and he rushed three times for 24 yards and a touchdown in a 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card playoff game. RB Chuba Hubbard rushed 13 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 13 yards, and Rico Dowdle chipped in nine rushing yards on five carries and caught one pass for six yards. WR Jalen Coker delivered nine catches for a game-high 134 yards and a score, WR Tetairoa McMillan caught five passes for 81 yards, and TE Tommy Tremble secured three receptions for 22 yards. LB Christian Rozeboom led the way with nine tackles, including five solo stops, and CB Mike Jackson added three tackles, four passes defensed and an interception.
Posted: 1/03/2026 11:39 pm GMT
Carolina Panthers RB Rico Dowdle rushed for 10 yards on seven carries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 but lost a fumble during the game. He also caught two passes for 20 yards during the game.
Huddle Up: Dowdle took over the starting job during the season but was sharing playing time near the end of the season. He is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason and should have a solid role with whoever he plays for in 2026. He can be at least a No. 3 running back if he finds a solid role with a team.
Posted: 1/01/2026 6:05 pm GMT
Carolina Panthers LB Claudin Cherelus (ankle, calf) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1, and has been ruled out for Week 18. CB Robert Rochell (concussion) was limited during practice but has been ruled out. OG Robert Hunt (biceps) and WR David Moore (elbow) were limited during practice and are listed as questionable. LB Krys Barnes (back) and DT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) fully participated in practice but are listed as questionable. RB Rico Dowdle (toe) fully participated in practice and is not on the injury report.
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