Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Blake Corum

Tuesday, July 1, 9:24 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow writes that Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle will split carries with rookie Trevor Etienne as the backups to lead back Chuba Hubbard in 2025. Dowdle is coming of a 1,000-yard season with the Dallas Cowboys in his first year as a lead back, but he'll be working behind Hubbard. As the RB2 last year in Carolina, Miles Sanders only had 55 carries, although he was mostly injured and ineffective. Zietlow adds that the Panthers will want to find out what they have in Etienne before Jonathon Brooks (knee) returns in 2026. If anything, the 27-year-old Dowdle will take away valuable pass-catching opportunities from Hubbard on third downs in his first year in Carolina, but it's going to be hard to justify him as an every-week fantasy starter as long as Hubbard stays healthy. Dowdle is ranked as RotoBaller's RB50 going into the 2025 season.

Wednesday, June 4, 12:46 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (forearm) has been taking part in voluntary organized team activities this offseason after fracturing his forearm in the Week 18 regular-season finale. It's a good sign that Corum will be ready for the start of his second NFL season as the primary backup to Kyren Williams. After being taken in the third round (83rd overall) last year out of Michigan, the 24-year-old had a minimal role behind the workhorse Williams, carrying the ball only 58 times for 207 yards while adding seven catches on eight targets for 58 yards. He did not find the end zone at all. Heading into Year 2, Corum is competing with rookie fourth-rounder Jarquez Hunter for backup duties in L.A. Corum's quiet rookie season wasn't what fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues wanted to see, and it might take an injury to Williams for him to see a bigger role in his sophomore season.