Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Tahj Brooks
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Rico Dowdle News
Friday, May 8, 12:46 PM
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle began the 2025 season as the RB2 for the Carolina Panthers behind Chuba Hubbard. However, an early-season injury to Hubbard opened the door for Dowdle, and he finished the year with 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games for Carolina. The Steelers rewarded Dowdle with a two-year, $12.25 million contract in free agency, and he now forms a two-headed backfield monster in Pittsburgh with veteran back Jaylen Warren. Warren's presence in Pittsburgh likely caps Dowdle's production ceiling, particularly in the passing game. Still, Dowdle should be the team's primary early-down and goal-line rusher, a role he's proven he can excel in in recent years. In dynasty formats, Dowdle profiles as a solid flex option with some upside heading into 2026.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Tahj Brooks News
Friday, February 20, 7:31 AM
A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks played a minimal role on offense in his first professional season. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 54 yards from scrimmage on 17 total touches. Bengals running back Chase Brown has logged nearly 600 touches over the past two seasons combined and is locked in as the RB1 in Cincinnati for at least 2026, blocking Brooks off from significant playing time. The Bengals also have steady veteran back Samaje Perine under contract for the 2026 season. Perine recorded 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns across 15 games with Cincinnati in 2025, and his reputation as a solid pass blocker and receiver should keep him secure in the team's third-down role. Post 2026, Brooks could have a pathway to more playing time in Cincinnati. However, it appears unlikely that he will have a chance to prove himself in the short term, barring an injury to Brown or Perine. Brooks' value in dynasty formats should be trending downward after his quiet rookie campaign.
Rico Dowdle vs. Tahj Brooks
Still trying to decide between Dowdle and Brooks? 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 0.0 points this week while Tahj Brooks is projected to score 0.0 points.
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