Despite topping 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, Rico Dowdle was not retained by the Dallas Cowboys following the 2024 season. After five years of service, where he saw his role grow from an undrafted free agent to a bell cow back, Dowdle now joins his home state Carolina Panthers on a one-year contract valued up to $6.25 million. Dowdle is the latest domino to fall in the running back free-agent market after Aaron Jones and Najee Harris quickly signed deals with new clubs earlier in the week. With the running back market dwindling, who are the biggest winners and losers of the Rico Dowdle signing?
Winners of the Rico Dowdle Signing
Chase Brown: RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Brown had a breakout year in 2024 after he took over the Bengals’ backfield following an injury to Zack Moss. Even though he was not the full-time starter until Week 6, he still managed to finish as RB10 in PPR. Rumors have been circulating regarding the Bengals’ desire to reduce Chase Brown’s workload in 2025, as his average snap share was 85.15% from Week 11 onward. For reference, only two running backs averaged an 80% snap share for the 2024 season: Kyren Williams (87%) and Jonathan Taylor (80%). Dowdle’s signing leaves only J.K. Dobbins as an immediate threat to Brown’s workload in 2025. The Bengals will also have no shortage of options in the 2025 NFL Draft, but for now, Chase Brown is all alone in Cincinnati.
J.K. Dobbins: RB, Free Agent
Now that Dowdle is signed, Dobbins finds himself as the best remaining running-back option in free agency. After rushing for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns only one season removed from a season-ending Achilles tear, it will be interesting to see if teams consider Dobbins as a starting piece like Harris and Jones or a complimentary piece akin to Rico Dowdle. Given that there is a significant dropoff in talent after Dobbins, I wouldn’t be shocked to see teams overpay to secure his services. With Dowdle signing with the Panthers, there’s less competition for Dobbins to find a new home.
Ashton Jeanty: RB, Boise State University
It’s not a matter of IF Ashton Jeanty will be drafted in the first-round, but it is a matter of when. Rico Dowdle was a part of the “Big 4” free-agent running back options, along with Harris, Jones, and Dobbins. The fact that he signed in Carolina to play second-fiddle to Chuba Hubbard bodes well for Jeanty’s chances to immediately start and be an impact player. The Giants (who have the opportunity to do the funniest thing of all time), Raiders, Saints, and now, the Cowboys all have significant needs at the running back position with a potential franchise-caliber back dangling in front of them. Do you think that a one-year, $3 million contract to Javonte Williams would stop Jerry from drafting Jeanty? Not a chance!
Losers of the Rico Dowdle Signing
Jonathan Brooks: RB, Carolina Panthers
I can only imagine how frustrating of a career it has been for the former Texas Longhorns running back, Jonathan Brooks. The Carolina Panthers made Brooks the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, despite his junior season ending with an ACL tear. A year later, he tore the same ACL again. Dowdle’s signing hurts his 2025 outlook, but dynasty players can remain hopeful since Dowdle is only on a one-year deal. This will allow Brooks to take his time in his recovery and ideally be at full health in 2026. You should be looking at acquiring him in dynasty formats as a major buy low/taxi-squad candidate for 2025.
Chuba Hubbard: RB, Carolina Panthers
Zero-running-back truthers will forever hold Chuba Hubbard in high regard after his spectacular 2024 season, where he rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and finished as RB14. Amid this breakout, he signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension with the Panthers, tying him to the team through the 2028 season. While it was clear that the Panthers needed additional depth following Brooks’s injury and cutting Miles Sanders yesterday, it would have been preferable for Hubbard’s outlook for the Panthers to explore non-1,000-yard rushing running back options. Hubbard should retain his starting role, but his RB16 price tag in Underdog best ball drafts is too high for my liking.
Let us know who YOU think is the biggest winner and loser over at The Fantasy Advice Network.
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