Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jahmyr Gibbs

Tuesday, July 1, 9:24 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow writes that Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle will split carries with rookie Trevor Etienne as the backups to lead back Chuba Hubbard in 2025. Dowdle is coming of a 1,000-yard season with the Dallas Cowboys in his first year as a lead back, but he'll be working behind Hubbard. As the RB2 last year in Carolina, Miles Sanders only had 55 carries, although he was mostly injured and ineffective. Zietlow adds that the Panthers will want to find out what they have in Etienne before Jonathon Brooks (knee) returns in 2026. If anything, the 27-year-old Dowdle will take away valuable pass-catching opportunities from Hubbard on third downs in his first year in Carolina, but it's going to be hard to justify him as an every-week fantasy starter as long as Hubbard stays healthy. Dowdle is ranked as RotoBaller's RB50 going into the 2025 season.

Thursday, June 5, 12:13 PM

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Jahmyr Gibbs has stood out this spring during voluntary organized team activities. This news really shouldn't surprise anyone. Gibbs, who was taken 12th overall in the 2023 NFL draft, has made the Pro Bowl in each of his two NFL seasons and took a step forward in 2024 with 250 rushing attempts, 1,412 rushing yards and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns, adding 52 receptions for the second straight season, 517 receiving yards and four receiving TDs in 17 regular-season games (four starts). Gibbs' increased production had a lot to do with David Montgomery missing time with a knee injury, but even with a healthy Montgomery stealing touches away from Gibbs in Detroit's backfield, the 23-year-old is so explosive and efficient that he'll remain a high-end RB1 in fantasy.