2025 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
98
YDS
551
TD
2
YDS
121
TD
1
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Dowdle's 2024 season was a major success as he ran for over 1,000 yards at 4.6 yards per carry, but the Cowboys didn't re-sign him even though it only took a one-year, $2.75 million contract for the Panthers to pry him away. Dowdle played college football at South Carolina, where persistent nicks and tweaks held him back from reaching his potential from 2016 to 2019. He then spent a few years bouncing between the Cowboys' practice squad and the bottom of their roster, before taking over the No. 2 RB role in 2023 and becoming the starter in 2024. With 4.54 speed at around 215 pounds, Dowdle is about average for an NFL running back in terms of size-adjusted athleticism, and he's proven capable on passing downs (78.9 percent catch rate, five receiving TDs) to boot. If starting running back Chuba Hubbard were to miss any time for the Panthers this year, Dowdle's 2024 performance gives reason to believe he can fill in capably as a three-down starter. The Panthers did draft Trevor Etienne in the fourth round this spring, but he's unlikely to unseat Dowdle as the No. 2 back to start the season. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Panthers in March of 2025.
Alternates possessions with Hubbard
Dowdle rushed the ball 17 times for 79 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Jets. He added one reception on two targets for 17 yards.
ANALYSIS
Chuba Hubbard returned after a two-game absence and drew the start over Dowdle. The duo then alternated possessions, with Dowdle turning in the far more efficient performance by outgaining Hubbard, 96-48 in total yardage. Dowdle has certainly gained a more significant role in the Carolina offense with his strong showings across the last three weeks, though it doesn't appear the team is prepared to turn the backfield over to him fully at this point.
Chuba Hubbard returned after a two-game absence and drew the start over Dowdle. The duo then alternated possessions, with Dowdle turning in the far more efficient performance by outgaining Hubbard, 96-48 in total yardage. Dowdle has certainly gained a more significant role in the Carolina offense with his strong showings across the last three weeks, though it doesn't appear the team is prepared to turn the backfield over to him fully at this point.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Rico Dowdle's 2025 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
17.3%Positive Run %
86.7%% Yds After Contact
61.0%Avg Yds After Contact
3.4Rushing TD %
2.0%Touches Per Game
15.9% Snaps w/Touch
47.8%Air Yards Per Game
1.4Air Yards Per Snap
0.04% Team Air Yards
0.6%% Team Targets
7.3%Avg Depth of Target
0.6 YdsCatch Rate
76.5%Drop Rate
0.0%Avg Yds After Catch
8.7% Targeted On Route
21.5%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2025 NFL Game Log
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2025 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Panthers 2025 RB Snap DistributionLoading Weekly Snap Counts...
#2 RB
PanthersReceiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Rico Dowdle lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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This Week's Opposing Pass Defense
How does the Bills pass defense compare to other NFL teams this season?
The bars represents the team's percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
vs Bills
Sunday, Oct 26th at 1:00PM
Overall QB Rating Against
95.8
Cornerbacks
109.4
Safeties
63.4
Linebackers
83.5
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2025 Rico Dowdle Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Rico Dowdle's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"Weight
215 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.54 secVertical Jump
38.0 inBroad Jump
127 inBench Press
0 repsHand Length
9.50 inArm Length
31.38 in
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2021
2020
Dowdle is an interesting fringe prospect and a fine part of the Dallas roster, but he's probably not the type of backup who can truly take over for a starter if an emergency arises. He looks the part of a powerful runner at 5-11, 215, but he struggled with injuries at South Carolina and never lived up to the promise of his 2016 freshman season. That initial campaign produced his collegiate highs for touches (148), total yards (819) and touchdowns (seven), with Dowdle limited by injuries, fumbles and/or timeshares thereafter. He then hung around the back end of the Cowboys' roster and practice squad for three years after going undrafted in 2020, finally getting his big break in 2023 as the No. 2 back behind Tony Pollard (who didn't miss any games). There's another opportunity on hand with Pollard gone and replaced by 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott, but Dowdle's mediocre work last season (4.1 YPC last season) leaves his depth chart standing in question, with anywhere from first to fourth looking possible as camp approaches.
More Fantasy News
Team won't reveal lead back
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Friday that he's already decided between Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard as the lead runner for Sunday's game against the Jets but won't reveal his plan, Steve Reed of The Associated Press reports.
ANALYSIS
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No assurance of starting Week 7
Panthers coach Dave Canales didn't answer Wednesday when reporters asked him if Dowdle will start Sunday's game against the Jets, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
ANALYSIS
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Massive workload, yardage Sunday
Dowdle rushed 30 times for 183 yards and brought in four of five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 30-27 win over the Cowboys on Sunday. He also fumbled once but recovered.
ANALYSIS
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Making second straight start
Dowdle will start Sunday's game against the Cowboys, as David Newton of ESPN.com reports that Chuba Hubbard (calf) has been ruled out.
ANALYSIS
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Spectacular in spot start
Dowdle rushed 23 times for 206 yards and a touchdown and brought in three of four targets for 28 yards in the Panthers' 27-24 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Splits with Hubbard in Week 7
Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard alternated possessions during Sunday's 13-6 win over the Jets, per Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site.
ANALYSIS
Hubbard took snaps on the Panthers' opening drive in his return from a calf injury, but Dowdle played on the second drive, and the pair continued to alternate from there. Dowdle finished the game with 96 scrimmage yards on 18 touches compared to Hubbard's 55 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. Hubbard is on a four-year, $33.2 million contract compared to Dowdle's one-year, $2.75 million pact, but Dowdle's success during Hubbard's two-game absence has forced a timeshare in Carolina's backfield.
Hubbard took snaps on the Panthers' opening drive in his return from a calf injury, but Dowdle played on the second drive, and the pair continued to alternate from there. Dowdle finished the game with 96 scrimmage yards on 18 touches compared to Hubbard's 55 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. Hubbard is on a four-year, $33.2 million contract compared to Dowdle's one-year, $2.75 million pact, but Dowdle's success during Hubbard's two-game absence has forced a timeshare in Carolina's backfield.