Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Zach Charbonnet

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.

Wednesday, July 23, 2:56 PM

The Seattle Seahawks are heading into the 2025 season with a clear backfield competition. Kenneth Walker III has been outstanding across his first three years in the league, but recurring injuries have left the door open for third-year back Zach Charbonnet to push for more snaps. Charbonnet totaled eight touchdowns in 2024 despite starting just six of 17 games, showcasing his explosiveness and versatility. With new quarterback Sam Darnold under center, this two-headed backfield could emerge as one of the most dynamic tandems in the NFL, and a tricky one for fantasy managers to navigate.