Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Keaton Mitchell

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.

Sunday, September 14, 12:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell finds himself as a healthy inactive for the second straight week to open the season in Week 2 against the division-rival Cleveland Browns on Sunday. To begin the 2025 campaign, Mitchell has found himself as the team's RB4 behind Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Rasheen Ali. The 23-year-old has intriguing power and explosiveness, but he's had trouble staying on the field early in his career, playing only 13 games (two starts) since entering the league in 2023. He has averaged a healthy 6.9 yards per carry on his 62 rushing attempts with 426 yards and two touchdowns, but right now, he's off the fantasy radar altogether in redraft leagues. Mitchell's next chance to make his 2025 debut will be in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions on Monday, Sept. 22.