Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Dylan Sampson
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | 32.3 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 14.2 | 0.1 |
Rico Dowdle News
Monday, March 9, 3:31 PM
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle to an undisclosed deal on Monday, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Dowdle was never expected to return to Carolina in his search for an RB1 role after back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old carried the Panthers' backfield last year when Chuba Hubbard missed time due to injury, and he finished with 1,076 rushing yards and a career-high six rushing scores on 236 carries over 17 regular-season games (11 starts). Dowdle's production trailed off late last year, though, as Hubbard was kept in the fold out of the backfield. In Pittsburgh, he may have a similar problem. Pass-catching back Kenneth Gainwell signed with the Bucs, but Jaylen Watson remains and could be a serious threat to Dowdle's fantasy upside as he heads into his sixth NFL season. Dowdle finished 2025 as the RB16 in half-PPR scoring.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 | 31.4 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 25.5 | 0.2 |
Dylan Sampson News
Monday, March 16, 5:38 PM
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson was much more effective as a pass-catcher than as a traditional RB in his first year in the NFL in 2025. Sampson played in 15 games (two starts) and had 175 carries and no touchdowns on 65 rushing attempts (2.7 yards per carry). As a pass-catcher, he caught 33 of 40 targets for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old fourth-round selection out of the University of Tennessee figures to have a similar role in 2026 as a pass-catching specialist behind starter Quinshon Judkins. Sampson should have a slightly bigger role as well with Jerome Ford out of town, but in a Browns offense that could once again struggle given their less-than-ideal situation at quarterback, Sampson will mostly be a late-round handcuff option for Judkins' managers in single-year PPR leagues. Sampson is a bit more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues as a hold for depth purposes.
Rico Dowdle vs. Dylan Sampson
Still trying to decide between Dowdle and Sampson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rico Dowdle is projected to score 8.9 points this week while Dylan Sampson is projected to score 12.7 points.
Latest Fantasy News
