2025 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
51
YDS
289
TD
2
YDS
48
TD
0
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.
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
Stepping into the lead-back role in place of Chuba Hubbard (calf), Dowdle exceeded all expectations in his first opportunity to helm the ground attack in Carolina. Dowdle repeatedly knifed the Dolphins' front seven for big gains, including 43- and 53-yard scampers. Dowdle's otherworldly performance raises an intriguing dilemma for head coach Dave Canales whenever Hubbard is healthy again, but the Panthers can certainly afford to give the latter time to fully heal, especially with Dowdle next getting a crack at the inconsistent defense of his former Cowboys squad in a Week 6 home matchup.
Stepping into the lead-back role in place of Chuba Hubbard (calf), Dowdle exceeded all expectations in his first opportunity to helm the ground attack in Carolina. Dowdle repeatedly knifed the Dolphins' front seven for big gains, including 43- and 53-yard scampers. Dowdle's otherworldly performance raises an intriguing dilemma for head coach Dave Canales whenever Hubbard is healthy again, but the Panthers can certainly afford to give the latter time to fully heal, especially with Dowdle next getting a crack at the inconsistent defense of his former Cowboys squad in a Week 6 home matchup.
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 %
23.5%Positive Run %
78.4%% Yds After Contact
65.7%Avg Yds After Contact
3.7Rushing TD %
3.9%Touches Per Game
11.8% Snaps w/Touch
41.5%Air Yards Per Game
-2.0Air Yards Per Snap
-0.07% Team Air Yards
-0.8%% Team Targets
5.9%Avg Depth of Target
-1.0 YdsCatch Rate
80.0%Drop Rate
0.0%Avg Yds After Catch
7.4% Targeted On Route
17.2%Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.83Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
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 Cowboys 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 Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12th at 1:00PM
Overall QB Rating Against
120.0
Cornerbacks
135.1
Safeties
91.1
Linebackers
99.4
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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
Set to start Sunday
Coach Dave Canales said Dowdle will start Sunday against the Dolphins with fellow RB Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out for the contest, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Likely headed for Week 5 start
Dowdle is expected to serve as the Panthers' starting running back for Sunday's game against the Dolphins with Chuba Hubbard (calf) likely to be sidelined for the Week 5 contest, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Underwhelms in Week 4
Dowdle rushed nine times for 32 yards and caught his only target for minus-2 yards in Sunday's 42-13 loss to the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
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Role keeps growing
Dowdle recorded 10 rushes for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-0 win over the Falcons. He added one reception on one target for eight yards as well as one kick return for 21 yards.
ANALYSIS
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More touches in Week 2
Dowdle rushed six times for nine yards and caught his only target for 10 yards during Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Confident with Cowboys up next
Dowdle, who rushed for a career-high 206 yards against the Dolphins in Week 5, is looking forward to facing his old Cowboys teammates next Sunday when Dallas pays a visit to Carolina, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Dowdle filled in for Chuba Hubbard, who was sidelined with a calf injury, and came within striking distance of the franchise's single-game rushing yardage record, which belongs to D'Angelo Williams. Some late-game cramping cost Dowdle snaps that would have allowed him to very likely surpass Williams' 210-yard mark, but the veteran back is already looking ahead to squaring off with his old teammates. "They got to buckle up,'' Dowdle said of the Cowboys after Sunday's comeback. "I think they know for sure. They didn't keep me there for five years for no reason.''
Dowdle filled in for Chuba Hubbard, who was sidelined with a calf injury, and came within striking distance of the franchise's single-game rushing yardage record, which belongs to D'Angelo Williams. Some late-game cramping cost Dowdle snaps that would have allowed him to very likely surpass Williams' 210-yard mark, but the veteran back is already looking ahead to squaring off with his old teammates. "They got to buckle up,'' Dowdle said of the Cowboys after Sunday's comeback. "I think they know for sure. They didn't keep me there for five years for no reason.''