Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Devin Neal

Friday, January 30, 12:35 PM

ESPN's David Newton writes that unless Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle wants to "return at a bargain price," he "appears headed to this third team in three seasons." General manager Dan Morgan said he had a good meeting with Dowdle after the season, but Dowdle was unhappy with the way the year ended -- he had seven carries for 10 yards in the Week 18 regular-season finale and only five carries for nine yards in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was Carolina's leading rusher (1,076 yards), but he'd likely be in a committee backfield again with Chuba Hubbard if he were to re-sign. Hubbard is locked in through the 2028 campaign on a four-year, $33.2 million deal he signed in 2024. "I just want to be a guy who can go out there and just get the bulk [of the carries]," Dowdle said.

Friday, February 13, 8:34 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (hamstring) was taking on a large role as a rookie before being placed on injured reserve for the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season. Neal had 246 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns over his final four games, ranking as the overall RB23 in full-PPR leagues during that span. The dynamic in New Orleans right now is very interesting. On one hand, the Saints have a somewhat crowded backfield with Neal, Alvin Kamara, and Kendre Miller (knee). On the other hand, the competition for the lead-back role is wide open. Neal, of course, peaked at 20 touches in a single game last year and is coming back from injury. Miller is also returning from an injury and has struggled to break out through three years in the league. Finally, Kamara is a former superstar but is likely in the final stages of his career after posting new career lows in yards per carry (3.6) and receptions (33). As a result, it seems like there's a real path for Neal to produce in 2026, assuming the Saints don't bring in top-tier running back talent via free agency, trade, or the draft. He's a very appealing "buy" in dynasty leagues this offseason.