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.

Thursday, May 22, 3:55 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller has had trouble making an impact since being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The TCU product reportedly did not earn the trust of the previous coaching staff, but new head coach Kellen Moore is offering the ball carrier a fresh start. "First day was a blank slate," Moore said. In 14 career games, Miller has rushed 80 times for 304 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 15 receptions for 150 yards. He has dealt with multiple injuries in his young career, which has impacted his ability to earn a role in the offense. The Saints selected former Kansas running back Devin Neal in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, so he and Miller will likely battle it out for the RB2 role behind Alvin Kamara this offseason. Based on what we've seen thus far, Miller is not worth rostering in standard-sized leagues, but he could be worth a flier in deeper setups.