Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Rico Dowdle

Saturday, December 27, 9:21 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is in the middle of a strong stretch of play. Pollard has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games. During that span, Pollard has totaled 367 yards with three touchdowns. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. A defense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards to running backs this season. The only downside is that Pollard is expected to continue splitting the carries with Tyjae Spears. Given Pollard's success, he figures to continue getting plenty of chances. Fantasy managers should consider Pollard a low-end RB2 for this favorable Week 17 matchup.

Sunday, January 11, 12:48 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, who will be a free agent in March, said his decreased number of carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Dowdle said he wants to go somewhere "where he can get the bulk of the carries." The 27-year-old was an unquestioned RB1 during the 2025 season when Chuba Hubbard missed time with an injury. However, Dowdle was involved in more of a timeshare late in the year following Hubbard's return, and he watched Hubbard score twice in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. He had only five rushing attempts for nine yards while adding one catch on two targets for six yards. In the final four regular-season games, Dowdle averaged only 3.3 yards per carry as his role shrank. It sounds as though Dowdle doesn't plan on signing in Carolina, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to land a lead-back role elsewhere in free agency.