Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Chris Collier

Sunday, January 11, 12:48 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, who will be a free agent in March, said his decreased number of carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Dowdle said he wants to go somewhere "where he can get the bulk of the carries." The 27-year-old was an unquestioned RB1 during the 2025 season when Chuba Hubbard missed time with an injury. However, Dowdle was involved in more of a timeshare late in the year following Hubbard's return, and he watched Hubbard score twice in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. He had only five rushing attempts for nine yards while adding one catch on two targets for six yards. In the final four regular-season games, Dowdle averaged only 3.3 yards per carry as his role shrank. It sounds as though Dowdle doesn't plan on signing in Carolina, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to land a lead-back role elsewhere in free agency.

Friday, August 8, 11:25 AM

Second-year running back Chris Collier took the spotlight in the Las Vegas Raiders' 23-23 tie with the Seahawks, handling the bulk of the second-half carries. Collier played a key role in the team's most productive drives, including a 16-yard run that helped set up Cam Miller's touchdown pass. While the 25-year-old remains a longshot to make the roster behind Ashton Jeanty, Raheem Mostert, and Zamir White, he's making the most of his preseason opportunities.