Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Nico Collins

Friday, January 30, 12:35 PM

ESPN's David Newton writes that unless Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle wants to "return at a bargain price," he "appears headed to this third team in three seasons." General manager Dan Morgan said he had a good meeting with Dowdle after the season, but Dowdle was unhappy with the way the year ended -- he had seven carries for 10 yards in the Week 18 regular-season finale and only five carries for nine yards in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was Carolina's leading rusher (1,076 yards), but he'd likely be in a committee backfield again with Chuba Hubbard if he were to re-sign. Hubbard is locked in through the 2028 campaign on a four-year, $33.2 million deal he signed in 2024. "I just want to be a guy who can go out there and just get the bulk [of the carries]," Dowdle said.

Sunday, February 22, 10:19 AM

Across 15 games in 2025, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins recorded 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 120 targets. Collins is one of the NFL's most talented wideouts, but his fantasy production has been held down by a middling offensive situation in Houston over the past two seasons. Injuries have also been an issue for the 26-year-old, as he's never played more than 15 games in a season and has missed 19 total games across his five NFL campaigns. Still, Collins is the unquestioned number one target in the Texans' passing game and has recorded three consecutive seasons with at least 68 catches, 1,006 yards, and six touchdowns despite missed time in all three. If he can ever put together a fully healthy campaign and Houston's passing game takes a marginal step forward, Collins could put together a truly elite fantasy season. As is, he profiles as a low-end fantasy WR1 and should hold his dynasty value as he hits his late-twenties.