Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Keaton Mitchell

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.

Sunday, July 27, 9:52 AM

According to Sarah Ellison, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator told reporters Keaton Mitchell is fighting to get touches in the backfield right now. It's the simple fact that the Ravens don't really need a third string back at the moment. Derrick Henry is the workhorse back and Justice Hill has proven to be a versatile option in the backfield. That being said, Mitchell and Rasheen Ali probably won't see much action to begin the season. Mitchell was limited to eight games during his rookie season due to an ACL tear. He only played in five contests last season and doesn't have a path to consistent playing time in Baltimore right now.