Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Drake Maye

Friday, October 3, 9:25 AM

Carolina Panthers running back and former Dallas Cowboy, Rico Dowdle, is set to be the lead back in the Panthers' backfield in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, with Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out for Week 5. Hubbard is considered week-to-week, so Dowdle isn't expected to be a hot commodity for a season-long play, but he immediately rises in the Week 5 ranks and becomes a top-25 running back against the Dolphins defense, which allows the seventh most fantasy points to the running back position. Dowdle is no slouch either; last year with the Cowboys, he accumulated 1,328 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. Rookie running back Trevor Etienne becomes the team's RB2 and should also be in line for additional carries.

Saturday, October 4, 9:29 AM

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been playing some of the best football of his young career and should be deployed as a mid-range QB1 in most leagues during Week 5. He takes on the Buffalo Bills this week, and while that's a tougher matchup, it should at least lead to some garbage-time opportunities, if not steady, consistent production in a potentially close game. The Bills have actually been relatively soft this year, allowing the most rushing touchdowns and 13th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, as well as just one interception. That bodes well for Maye, who is the overall QB4 so far while contributing 988 passing yards, 98 rushing yards, nine total touchdowns, and two interceptions. Maye should be started in most fantasy leagues this week given his extreme success and relatively favorable matchup.