Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Rico Dowdle


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
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Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Joe Mixon News

Joe Mixon Remains an Enormous Question Mark

Wednesday, May 6, 7:53 AM

Free agent running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) remains unsigned, and now that we've reached the month of May, there are serious questions about whether he'll be able to occupy a meaningful role for the 2026 season. Mixon missed all of last year due to injury, and while we know he was dealing with ankle and foot issues, the Texans were very secretive about his status and why his injury timeline dragged on so much longer than anticipated. Even as Mixon hits free agency, we still haven't heard any updates about his health or status. The fact that none of the 32 teams has signed him feels discouraging, though. It was a rapid fall-off for the veteran back, who is just one year removed from tallying 1,016 rushing yards, 309 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns in Houston. Now, if he does sign somewhere, it'll likely be in a backup role, capping his standalone value in the RB3/flex tier (at best). As long as he's unsigned, Mixon is somewhat untouchable in fantasy football, slotting in as the overall RB73 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Rico Dowdle News

Rico Dowdle's Dynasty Value Fading Ahead of First Season in Pittsburgh?

Friday, May 29, 12:11 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is entering his first year with the team in 2026 after racking up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2025. Dowdle began the year as the RB2 in Carolina but eventually took over the lead role following an early-season injury to Panthers back Chuba Hubbard. While Dowdle's season-long numbers are impressive, his production tailed off down the stretch of the season after Hubbard returned from injury. Dowdle failed to crack 60 rushing yards in any of his final eight games of the season and logged just six touches in the Panthers' playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Dowdle now enters a similar backfield dynamic in Pittsburgh, where he figures to split touches with Steelers back Jaylen Warren. Dowdle's upside in the event of an injury to Warren could be enormous, but his production figures to be limited as long as both backs are splitting touches. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider selling high on Dowdle.


Joe Mixon vs. Rico Dowdle

Still trying to decide between Mixon and Dowdle? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Joe Mixon is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Rico Dowdle is projected to score 0.0 points.