Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Devin Neal

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.

Wednesday, September 17, 11:30 AM

New Orleans Saints rookie running back Devin Neal did not record a touch in Week 2 and appears to be the clear RB3 in New Orleans behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. The Saints are averaging 114 rushing yards per game as a team through the first two weeks of the season, but it does not appear that Neal will be a regular contributor in the run game without an injury to one of the backs ahead of him on the depth chart. Neal still has some value as a stash play in dynasty leagues, but he should not be on the radar of redraft managers for the time being.