Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Rico Dowdle
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20.1 | 65.3 | 0.5 | 4.6 | 40.4 | 0.3 |
Christian McCaffrey News
Tuesday, July 28, 6:49 AM
After touching the ball an astounding 450 times in 2025, much of the offseason narrative surrounding San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been about how the team will handle his workload in his age-30 season, and through two days of training camp, there have been no indications of any holding him back. After standing out in his usual ways in the passing game during the team's first practice, 49ers digital editor Brooke Evans reports that he again saw steady volume in Day 2, totaling seven carries in team sessions and routinely working up to the second level. With CBA rules not allowing for full padded practices until the fifth or sixth session of camp, McCaffrey could continue to see heavy run with the first team offense, but it will be interesting to see how carries are divvied up when the pads do come on, particularly with a battle brewing between Jordan James and Kaelon Black for the ever-important insurance role behind the four-time All-Pro.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.7 | 48.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 14.5 | 0.1 |
Rico Dowdle News
Wednesday, July 15, 10:20 AM
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is entering his first season in Pittsburgh after signing a two-year contract worth over $12 million in free agency. With the Steelers, Dowdle appears likely to operate as part of a split backfield with incumbent running back Jaylen Warren. While Warren logged 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns for the Steelers last year, Pittsburgh has a new coaching staff in place for the 2026 season. Dowdle has proven himself to be a capable three-down back in recent years, recording 1,328 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns for the Carolina Panthers in 2025. While Warren may handle most of the receiving work for Pittsburgh, Dowdle profiles as the better rusher between the tackles and at the goal line. Even while splitting touches with Panthers back Chuba Hubbard in 2025, Dowdle finished as the RB23 in per-game PPR scoring. At his current redraft ADP of RB32, Dowdle profiles as a value selection for fantasy managers.
Christian McCaffrey vs. Rico Dowdle
Still trying to decide between McCaffrey and Dowdle? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Christian McCaffrey is projected to score 20.1 points this week while Rico Dowdle is projected to score 10.7 points.
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