Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Rico Dowdle

Friday, September 12, 10:29 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard did not have his most efficient game in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, rushing for 60 yards on 18 carries and recording one catch for 29 yards. Still, Pollard received 90% of the running back carries for Tennessee in Week 1, a trend that figures to continue as long as Titans RB2 Tyjae Spears (ankle) remains on Injured Reserve due to a high ankle sprain. Pollard gets a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, who allowed just nine points to the Houston Texans in Week 1. However, Houston gained 127 yards on the ground, and lead back Nick Chubb averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Expect Tennessee to lean on Pollard to ease the pressure on rookie quarterback Cameron Ward and slow down a formidable Rams' pass rush. Pollard is a volume-based low-end fantasy RB2 in Week 2.

Saturday, August 9, 4:08 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle showed a glimpse of his potential as a pass-catching threat in the team's preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns, recording one reception for 20 yards to go along with two rushes for seven yards. The 27-year-old running back is entering his sixth season in the NFL after spending his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, which was riddled with injuries. Dowdle is clearly behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but could carve out a role in the Panthers' receiving or two-minute offense in 2025. Coming off an underwhelming 2024 season in Dallas, where high hopes for the lead back role didn't materialize (235-1,079-2 on the ground, 39-249-3 in the air), a move to a new location and a backup role could take some pressure off Dowdle and allow him to grow into his potential. Rotoballer currently projects him as RB55, but Dowdle could be a sneaky stash if anything happens to Hubbard throughout the season.