Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jermar Jefferson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Rico Dowdle News

Rico Dowdle's Dynasty Value Fading Ahead of First Season in Pittsburgh?

Friday, May 29, 12:11 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is entering his first year with the team in 2026 after racking up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2025. Dowdle began the year as the RB2 in Carolina but eventually took over the lead role following an early-season injury to Panthers back Chuba Hubbard. While Dowdle's season-long numbers are impressive, his production tailed off down the stretch of the season after Hubbard returned from injury. Dowdle failed to crack 60 rushing yards in any of his final eight games of the season and logged just six touches in the Panthers' playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Dowdle now enters a similar backfield dynamic in Pittsburgh, where he figures to split touches with Steelers back Jaylen Warren. Dowdle's upside in the event of an injury to Warren could be enormous, but his production figures to be limited as long as both backs are splitting touches. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider selling high on Dowdle.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jermar Jefferson News

Jermar Jefferson Sees Work In The Red Zone

Tuesday, December 31, 9:23 AM

Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson was given just three attempts during their victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday evening. However, all three attempts were within the San Francisco ten-yard line. With David Montgomery (knee) sidelined, Jahmyr Gibbs has been deployed as the workhorse option in this backfield, but with the Lions having little to play for regarding their position in the standings, they opted to give Gibbs occasional rest on Monday evening. While Gibbs still finished the game with 18 attempts and four targets, he would have likely been given this goal line work in a must-win situation. Instead, Jefferson was given some high-value touches but could not punch in any of them as he finished with just nine total yards. In addition, Jefferson saw four fewer carries than the presumed No.2 option, Craig Reynolds. Fantasy managers should expect Gibbs to take on a three-down role during Week 18 and throughout the entire postseason, leaving just a handful of attempts for Jefferson and Reynolds.


Rico Dowdle vs. Jermar Jefferson

Still trying to decide between Dowdle and Jefferson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rico Dowdle is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Jermar Jefferson is projected to score 0.0 points.