Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Kendre Miller

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, 3:12 PM

After a frustrating start to his NFL career, New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller says he's finally back to full health. Hampered by a laundry list of injuries over his first two seasons, including a hamstring strain and sprained ankle, Miller has played in only 14 games since being selected in the third round of the 2023 Draft, totaling only 80 carries in his young career. At times, former head coach Dennis Allen was vocal about Miller's inability to stay on the field. However, in his first days of camp with a new regime, the 23-year-old stated that he has put in the work this offseason and feels 100% healthy. Alvin Kamara still leads the Saints' backfield, but Miller remains an intriguing insurance option that should be stashed in deeper formats.