Rico Dowdle

After grinding for four years as an undrafted guy, Dowdle worked his way into a starting role with Dallas in 2024 before signing a one-year deal in Carolina in 2025. The plan was for Dowdle to back up incumbent starter Chuba Hubbard, but Dowdle got a chance to start when Hubbard suffered a calf injury in Week 4. Over the next two weeks, Dowdle capitalized with 389 yards and one touchdown rushing (7.3 YPC) while adding seven receptions for 84 yards and another touchdown. The Dallas and Miami defenses probably get some of the credit for Dowdle's big numbers those two weeks -- he averaged only 3.75 yards per carry in his 15 other games -- but Dowdle has earned some benefit of the doubt as a viable NFL starter after logging quality numbers over the last two years. He has seemingly rounded into a solid pass catcher (78.8 percent catch rate, 5.5 YPT since 2024), and his fumbling has been manageable (five on his last 549 touches). Dowdle will now share the Pittsburgh backfield with versatile teammate Jaylen Warren, who projects for more catches and fewer carries than he had last year (while sharing the backfield with Kenneth Gainwell). Dowdle's two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Steelers implies he could even take up most of the role previously held by Najee Harris during the early portion of Warren's career. Read Past Outlooks