Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or MarShawn Lloyd

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.

Friday, July 11, 3:00 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is "in a much better spot" and the team has "a lot of high expectations for him," Green Bay running backs coach Ben Sirmans told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Drafted in the third round in 2024, Lloyd had a lost year as a rookie. He appeared in just one game for Green Bay last season, totaling six carries for 15 yards. Lloyd suffered myriad injuries to his hip, ankle, hamstring, and appendicitis. In the same article, Schneidman notes that Lloyd is "essentially a lock" to make the Packers' 53-man roster, but may not start as the number two running back on the depth chart behind Josh Jacobs. He's competing with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks for the role, both of whom flashed at different points in 2024. Lloyd has a ways to go before he's relevant for fantasy managers, but his progress in camp should be monitored by those looking for a Jacobs handcuff.