Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Breece Hall

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.

Saturday, July 26, 3:12 PM

After a lackluster campaign in 2024, New York Jets running back Breece Hall has his eyes set on proving his worth ahead of the 2025 season. The Iowa State product told reporters on Saturday that he has a chip on his shoulder and feels that it's his "last chance" to demonstrate his abilities. "We got a new head coach (Aaron Glenn), new GM (Darren Mougey)," said Hall. "Obviously, I wasn't drafted by them, I'm not their guy. So for me, like I said, I've got to prove it every day." The talk of a running back-by-committee has been loud this offseason, but the 24-year-old isn't letting that deter him from vying for a workhorse role. Hall has the talent to do so, and could be in store for a bounce-back season with quarterback Justin Fields (toe) at the helm. The added threat of Fields in the running game would benefit the fourth-year pro. However, his new signal-caller will need to get past his recent toe injury. Hall is a strong pick as a high-upside RB2.