Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Braelon Allen

Saturday, August 9, 4:08 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle showed a glimpse of his potential as a pass-catching threat in the team's preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns, recording one reception for 20 yards to go along with two rushes for seven yards. The 27-year-old running back is entering his sixth season in the NFL after spending his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, which was riddled with injuries. Dowdle is clearly behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but could carve out a role in the Panthers' receiving or two-minute offense in 2025. Coming off an underwhelming 2024 season in Dallas, where high hopes for the lead back role didn't materialize (235-1,079-2 on the ground, 39-249-3 in the air), a move to a new location and a backup role could take some pressure off Dowdle and allow him to grow into his potential. Rotoballer currently projects him as RB55, but Dowdle could be a sneaky stash if anything happens to Hubbard throughout the season.

Tuesday, September 16, 11:39 AM

New York Jets second-year running back Braelon Allen took a step back in Week 2 regarding his share of offensive snaps. The Buffalo Bills manhandled the Jets to the tune of 30-10 at home, and whether it was due to game script or by design, Allen handled a significantly smaller snap total than in Week 1. This past weekend, the 21-year-old saw the field just nine times -- one fewer than teammate Isaiah Davis -- a stark contrast to the 20-8 lead he boasted in their matchup with Pittsburgh. The situation regarding the duo could ultimately come down to a hot-hand approach, making it murky precisely which one to own for handcuff purposes. One thing is clear, and it's that this is Breece Hall's backfield to lose. The Jets' offense seems less stable than it did a week ago, but keeping tabs on the backup here is a worthwhile endeavor.