Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jarquez Hunter

Sunday, January 11, 12:48 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, who will be a free agent in March, said his decreased number of carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Dowdle said he wants to go somewhere "where he can get the bulk of the carries." The 27-year-old was an unquestioned RB1 during the 2025 season when Chuba Hubbard missed time with an injury. However, Dowdle was involved in more of a timeshare late in the year following Hubbard's return, and he watched Hubbard score twice in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. He had only five rushing attempts for nine yards while adding one catch on two targets for six yards. In the final four regular-season games, Dowdle averaged only 3.3 yards per carry as his role shrank. It sounds as though Dowdle doesn't plan on signing in Carolina, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to land a lead-back role elsewhere in free agency.

Wednesday, October 22, 1:04 AM

Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter was a healthy scratch for Week 7's game in London against the Jaguars. Hunter had been active for the Rams' previous five games, exclusively on special teams, but didn't suit up in London as Ronnie Rivers was brought up off the practice squad and was active as a depth piece behind starter Kyren Williams and second-year back Blake Corum. The fourth-round pick out of Auburn led the SEC last season with 6.4 yards per carry, and it remains to be seen whether he will earn any opportunities in the Rams' offense moving forward.