Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Rhamondre Stevenson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.9 32.3 0.3 2.1 14.2 0.1

Rico Dowdle News

Steelers Signing Rico Dowdle on Monday

Monday, March 9, 3:31 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle to an undisclosed deal on Monday, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Dowdle was never expected to return to Carolina in his search for an RB1 role after back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old carried the Panthers' backfield last year when Chuba Hubbard missed time due to injury, and he finished with 1,076 rushing yards and a career-high six rushing scores on 236 carries over 17 regular-season games (11 starts). Dowdle's production trailed off late last year, though, as Hubbard was kept in the fold out of the backfield. In Pittsburgh, he may have a similar problem. Pass-catching back Kenneth Gainwell signed with the Bucs, but Jaylen Watson remains and could be a serious threat to Dowdle's fantasy upside as he heads into his sixth NFL season. Dowdle finished 2025 as the RB16 in half-PPR scoring.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
9.2 38.8 0.4 1.4 10.3 0.1

Rhamondre Stevenson News

Rhamondre Stevenson the RB1 in New England?

Saturday, March 7, 6:14 AM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson had seven rushing touchdowns for the second straight season during the regular season and helped the team advance to the Super Bowl. However, the 28-year-old took a step back in 2025 with 603 rushing yards on a career-low 130 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) in 14 regular-season games. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson led New England's backfield with 911 rushing yards and nine TDs on 180 carries (5.1 yards per tote). The 28-year-old Stevenson was the Patriots' No. 1 back by default last year, but Henderson was more productive and almost certainly will have the opportunity to pass Stevenson on the RB depth chart in 2026. That will be especially true if Stevenson's ball-security issues resurface -- he lost two more fumbles last season. Stevenson might be more of a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in 2026 with less volume.


Rico Dowdle vs. Rhamondre Stevenson

Still trying to decide between Dowdle and Stevenson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rico Dowdle is projected to score 8.9 points this week while Rhamondre Stevenson is projected to score 9.2 points.