Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jaydon Blue

Saturday, August 9, 4:08 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle showed a glimpse of his potential as a pass-catching threat in the team's preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns, recording one reception for 20 yards to go along with two rushes for seven yards. The 27-year-old running back is entering his sixth season in the NFL after spending his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, which was riddled with injuries. Dowdle is clearly behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but could carve out a role in the Panthers' receiving or two-minute offense in 2025. Coming off an underwhelming 2024 season in Dallas, where high hopes for the lead back role didn't materialize (235-1,079-2 on the ground, 39-249-3 in the air), a move to a new location and a backup role could take some pressure off Dowdle and allow him to grow into his potential. Rotoballer currently projects him as RB55, but Dowdle could be a sneaky stash if anything happens to Hubbard throughout the season.

Thursday, September 4, 7:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue is listed as a healthy scratch for the Week 1 season opener on Thursday night against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. Blue was impressive in training camp and the preseason over the summer before suffering a low-ankle sprain in the preseason finale. The injury cost the 21-year-old some time, but he was a full participant in practice this week, and his absence from the season opener is merely a coach's decision. For now, he's a distant third in Dallas' backfield behind starter Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Blue figures to play a role a some point in 2025, but right now, he's merely a bench stash for RB depth in fantasy leagues. Dallas could have a tough time running the football on Thursday night against a stout Eagles defensive line.