Who Should I Start? Josh Jacobs or Rico Dowdle


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.4 32.1 0.4 0.4 3.6 0.0

Josh Jacobs News

Josh Jacobs Will Return in 2026

Tuesday, February 24, 12:41 PM

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday that running back Josh Jacobs will "absolutely" be back in 2026, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "He's a very important cog in what we're trying to do here," Gutekunst said. Jacobs was in the second year of a four-year, $48 million contract in 2025 that he signed in March of 2024. The 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler took a slight step back in Green Bay in his second season, but he was still very productive, gaining 929 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns on 234 rushing attempts while adding 36 catches for 282 yards and one touchdown through the air in 15 regular-season starts. Unfortunately, the former first-rounder's production tanked near the end of the season at the most inopportune time for fantasy managers, as he played through his knee injury. Jacobs has a lot of tread on his tires, but he's racked up four 1,000-yard seasons in seven years and has double-digit rushing touchdowns four different times, including in each of the last two seasons.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.9 32.3 0.3 2.1 14.2 0.1

Rico Dowdle News

Panthers Leaving the Door Open for Rico Dowdle to Return

Wednesday, February 25, 4:55 AM

Carolina Panthers impending free-agent running back Rico Dowdle wasn't happy with the way the 2025 season ended and seemed like a man not interested in re-signing, but he "has sent out social-media messages since then suggesting he might," according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. General manager Dan Morgan said the "door was open" for Dowdle to return, but they will let him test the free-agent market. If Dowdle doesn't re-sign, the Panthers are happy with the rest of the RB room, which includes Chuba Hubbard, former second-rounder Jonathon Brooks, and last year's fourth-rounder, Trevor Etienne. The 27-year-old Dowdle led Carolina in rushing last year, running for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 carries over 17 regular-season games. It was his second straight 1,000-yard season. He was involved in more of a timeshare down the stretch with Hubbard, though, and Dowdle has made it clear he wants an opportunity to be a lead back. That's unlikely to happen if he stays with the 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 6.4 points this week while Rico Dowdle is projected to score 8.9 points.