Rico

Dowdle

Achane is mentioned as part of a major section of Alexander’s combine takeaways titled “A push for a running back,” starring Kenneth Walker and also featuring Travis Etienne and Rico Dowdle. But towards the very end, it notes that the Texans did trade for a back after missing out on the free-agent market for Saquon Barkley when they snagged Joe Mixon. We doubt that the Dolphins would part with Achane for something negligible — they’d likely require real draft compensation — but the situation certainly looks to be focused on the long-term there and Achane is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Dowdle was notably down on how little he was used in the regular season finale and in the playoffs, where he rushed a combined 12 times for 19 yards, and said that would be a “factor” in his free agency. Dowdle’s fantasy stock could take a big upturn if he wound up being the obvious lead back on a new team this offseason. The Chiefs, Saints and Texans come to mind as (our speculation) possibilities. Chuba Hubbard’s stock would similarly rebound if Dowdle took off to greener pastures.

A worthwhile RB1 for the middle months of the fantasy season, Dowdle took control of the Carolina backfield in Week 5 with a scintillating 23/206/1 effort against the Dolphins in a comeback win. Over the next eight games, Dowdle averaged 17.6 carries for 80 yards and scored three times while adding a respectable 25.8 yards per game and another score as a receiver. We’re not sure whether to blame the toe and other ailments he played through or if he just slowed down under a 20-carry a game workload. It averages out to about what he did in Dallas last year: 235/1079/2 in 2024, 236/1076/6 in 2025, but that’s why we watch the games and note how many of those carries came in certain games as compared to others. A free agent in 2026, Dowdle would be a respectable RB2 option if he found the right landing spot.

Dowdle was able to earn a million dollar signing bonus for hitting 1,350 total yards. End of positives for Saturday, as the Panthers were held to 19 total rushing yards in in the sloppy Tampa Bay conditions. Dowdle’s overall season is an unquestioned success that saw him become a major weapon for the Carolina attack — he’ll enter free agency with a 229/1066/6 rushing line. But the Panthers now need the Falcons to beat the Saints in order to advance to the postseason.

No surprises here. Dowdle was listed as a full participant yesterday and is good to go for his showdown with the Bucs. Dowdle is ceding some work to Chuba Hubbard every week but remains the Panthers’ clear lead back. He should get plenty of touches in a must-win game versus the Bucs on Saturday. The Panthers can make the playoffs with a win. They can also win the NFC South with a loss and an Atlanta win on Sunday.

Dowdle was listed as a DNP on Tuesday, but the team upgraded him to a full session for today’s walkthrough. He doesn’t appear to be at any risk of missing Week 18 versus the Bucs. Dowdle out-touched Chuba Hubbard 15-7 last week, though he posted a quiet box score for fantasy purposes. Expect the Panthers to try to get him going early in a must-win spot versus the Bucs.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said he is “pretty confident” that Dowdle will be good to go on Saturday afternoon. It has not been uncommon for Dowdle to get an early practice off this year, so we don’t have much reason to worry about his status for Week 18’s NFC South showdown just yet.

Dowdle “added” three receptions for four yards. He did out-touch Chuba Hubbard 15-7 while Hubbard lost a fumble. This was a truly horrendous Panthers offensive performance, but Dowdle achieved “rare bright spot” status. They are going to need more than one bright spot to beat the Bucs and clinch the lamentable NFC South in Week 18. Solid against the run, the Bucs are bad against the pass, so it probably won’t be the biggest box score effort of Dowdle’s rollercoaster 2025 campaign.

Dowdle had a relatively silent day, turning 13 touches into 43 scoreless yards in a win over the Buccaneers. He continued to operate as the team’s lead back, out-touching Chuba Hubbard 13-to-7. Dowdle surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, making it his second straight season to pass that mark. Though it was a quiet day for him, Dowdle’s usage as the lead back gives him the preference in scoring opportunities over Hubbard. He will be in the low-end fantasy RB2 range against the Seahawks in Week 17.

Dowdle missed a few snaps on his team’s first drive, but he returned in time to punch in a short touchdown. The Saints deserve credit for limiting Dowdle to 3.1 yards per carry, though play volume was also an issue for the Panthers. The Saints’ 11-minute, 22-second first-half drive was their longest drive since at least the year 2000, going 95 yards on 17 plays and keeping the football away from the Panthers. Dowdle is an RB2 against the Buccaneers in Week 16.