Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Cam Skattebo

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 18, 2:46 PM

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo has agreed to terms on his rookie deal and is set to officially sign on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo. The fourth-round pick out of Arizona State carries plenty of fantasy football intrigue after a monster collegiate career of production. He began his career at Sacramento State before joining the Sun Devils' program in 2023. As a senior in 2024, Skattebo rushed 293 times for 1,711 yards and caught 45 passes for 605 yards. Overall, he tallied 2,316 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns. Although 2024 rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. impressed in his first year of action, the two could be in a committee backfield in 2025, though Devin Singletary is still on the roster. All that said, Skattebo has workhorse size and could carve out a significant role with volume in 2025 or 2026.