Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jaylen Wright

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.

Saturday, July 19, 1:49 PM

Miami Dolphins second-year running back Jaylen Wright has plenty of confidence in himself and thinks he can have a big year in 2025 alongside lead back De'Von Achane. "I just really feel like and I know I can be a top back in this league," Wright said on Up & Adams. "I feel like just my skill set, my ability and the system I'm in, it sets me up to be great." The 22-year-old speedy back played more than a quarter of the offensive snaps in only three games in 2024 and finished with only 249 rushing yards on 68 carries. Achane is on the smaller side at 5-foot-8 and 188 pounds, so it would make sense for them to try and spell him more often with Wright in 2025. Wright, a former fourth-rounder, is enticing as a handcuff option to Achane due to his speed and big-play ability. His main competition for a bigger role in his sophomore season will come from Alexander Mattison.