Who Should I Start? Josh Jacobs or Rico Dowdle
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.3 | 68.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 16.8 | 0.1 |
Josh Jacobs News
Thursday, August 6, 8:27 AM
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) missed training camp practice on Thursday due to a groin injury, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. However, Jacobs' injury is not believed to be anything overly concerning, so the starting RB might end up missing just a few days as a precaution. The Packers have every reason to play it safe with the 28-year-old in camp, especially since their backfield is a little thinner this year with Emanuel Wilson now in Seattle. Chris Brooks (hamstring) is also out with an injury, leaving oft-injured back MarShawn Lloyd to get more reps. Assuming full health from Jacobs going into the start of the 2026 season, the three-time Pro Bowler should be viewed as an RB2 in fantasy instead of a surefire RB1 as he heads into his eighth campaign (third with Green Bay). His grinding running style isn't a great match for a player nearing the dreaded 30-year-mark for RBs, and he averaged only 4.0 yards per carry while battling through a knee injury late last year to finish with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 234 carries in 15 regular-season starts. You can't argue with Jacobs' 28 rushing TDs the last two seasons, but he's also not as explosive as the top options at his position.
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, August 5, 4:03 PM
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers listed incumbent running back Jaylen Warren as the RB1 on their first preseason depth chart on Wednesday, Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly writes that Rico Dowdle "will be the unquestioned RB1 when the season starts." Kaboly adds that Dowdle is much more than a big, bruising RB. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent from South Carolina also shows quickness, speed, vision, and power, which make him "more than a platoon back." There is some uncertainty as to how the backfield touches will shake out between Dowdle and Warren in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense in 2026. McCarthy has been mum on naming a starter, and it feels like he's seeking more of a balanced approach with the two backs, which isn't what fantasy managers want to hear. Right now, RotoBaller has Dowdle and Warren ranked at No. 30 and 31, respectively, at the RB position. Dowdle is probably the safer bet after signing a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency with Pittsburgh, at least in standard-scoring leagues as the favorite to lead the Steelers in early-down carries. Dowdle also has plenty of momentum, reaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of the last two years with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers.
Josh Jacobs vs. Rico Dowdle
Still trying to decide between Jacobs and Dowdle? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Josh Jacobs is projected to score 15.3 points this week while Rico Dowdle is projected to score 10.7 points.
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