Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Isaac Guerendo

Wednesday, February 25, 4:55 AM

Carolina Panthers impending free-agent running back Rico Dowdle wasn't happy with the way the 2025 season ended and seemed like a man not interested in re-signing, but he "has sent out social-media messages since then suggesting he might," according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. General manager Dan Morgan said the "door was open" for Dowdle to return, but they will let him test the free-agent market. If Dowdle doesn't re-sign, the Panthers are happy with the rest of the RB room, which includes Chuba Hubbard, former second-rounder Jonathon Brooks, and last year's fourth-rounder, Trevor Etienne. The 27-year-old Dowdle led Carolina in rushing last year, running for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 carries over 17 regular-season games. It was his second straight 1,000-yard season. He was involved in more of a timeshare down the stretch with Hubbard, though, and Dowdle has made it clear he wants an opportunity to be a lead back. That's unlikely to happen if he stays with the Panthers.

Wednesday, February 18, 10:02 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo has emerged as a potential drop candidate as dynasty managers prepare for the offseason roster crunch. Between clearing taxi squad spots, adding players, and navigating rookie drafts, dynasty managers may need to make decisions about which rostered players to cut. Guerendo is a prime candidate after an underwhelming second season with the 49ers in 2025. He appeared in 14 games but played exclusively on special teams, never logging an offensive snap. He was buried on the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey, Brian Robinson Jr., Jordan James, and even fullback Kyle Juszczyk. It was a surprising, harsh development for the Louisville product after he finished as the overall RB48 in PPR leagues with 572 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in 2024. Evidently, the 49ers don't see Guerendo in their long-term plans, and it's hard to imagine he'll climb the depth chart in 2026, even with Robinson expected to hit free agency. Managers in most dynasty leagues should feel comfortable dropping the 25-year-old.