2025 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
236
YDS
1076
TD
6
YDS
297
TD
1
2026 Projections
RANKS
#
Overall
Signed a contract with the Steelers in March of 2026.
Headed to Pittsburgh
Dowdle is slated to sign with the Steelers, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
ANALYSIS
Terms of the contract aren't immediately available, but Dowdle appears set to move over to the AFC after one year in Carolina. He produced a 236-1,076-6 regular-season rushing line last season with the Panthers, which was nearly identical to the 235-1,079-2 line he posted during his 2024 breakout campaign with the Cowboys. Dowdle also caught exactly 39 passes each of the past two seasons, totaling 546 yards and four touchdowns, and he's chipped in as a kick returner throughout his career. The Steelers have Jaylen Warren locked in as their primary RB, so Dowdle figures to form a 1-2 punch with the incumbent starter, though his role may be somewhat different from that of Kenneth Gainwell, who featured as a pass catcher in 2025 but is departing in free agency to Tampa Bay.
Terms of the contract aren't immediately available, but Dowdle appears set to move over to the AFC after one year in Carolina. He produced a 236-1,076-6 regular-season rushing line last season with the Panthers, which was nearly identical to the 235-1,079-2 line he posted during his 2024 breakout campaign with the Cowboys. Dowdle also caught exactly 39 passes each of the past two seasons, totaling 546 yards and four touchdowns, and he's chipped in as a kick returner throughout his career. The Steelers have Jaylen Warren locked in as their primary RB, so Dowdle figures to form a 1-2 punch with the incumbent starter, though his role may be somewhat different from that of Kenneth Gainwell, who featured as a pass catcher in 2025 but is departing in free agency to Tampa Bay.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Rico Dowdle's 2025 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
13.1%Positive Run %
85.6%% Yds After Contact
66.3%Avg Yds After Contact
3.0Rushing TD %
2.5%Touches Per Game
16.2% Snaps w/Touch
46.8%Air Yards Per Game
-3.1Air Yards Per Snap
-0.09% Team Air Yards
-1.7%% Team Targets
10.1%Avg Depth of Target
-1.1 YdsCatch Rate
78.0%Drop Rate
4.0%Avg Yds After Catch
9.0% Targeted On Route
20.9%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2025 NFL Game Log
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2025 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Steelers 2025 RB Snap DistributionLoading Weekly Snap Counts...
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Rico Dowdle lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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Grouped
Side
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2025 Rico Dowdle Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Rico Dowdle's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"Weight
215 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.54 secVertical Jump
38.0 inBroad Jump
127 inBench Press
0 repsHand Length
9.50 inArm Length
31.38 in
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
2021
2020
Dowdle's 2024 season was a major success as he ran for over 1,000 yards at 4.6 yards per carry, but the Cowboys didn't re-sign him even though it only took a one-year, $2.75 million contract for the Panthers to pry him away. Dowdle played college football at South Carolina, where persistent nicks and tweaks held him back from reaching his potential from 2016 to 2019. He then spent a few years bouncing between the Cowboys' practice squad and the bottom of their roster, before taking over the No. 2 RB role in 2023 and becoming the starter in 2024. With 4.54 speed at around 215 pounds, Dowdle is about average for an NFL running back in terms of size-adjusted athleticism, and he's proven capable on passing downs (78.9 percent catch rate, five receiving TDs) to boot. If starting running back Chuba Hubbard were to miss any time for the Panthers this year, Dowdle's 2024 performance gives reason to believe he can fill in capably as a three-down starter. The Panthers did draft Trevor Etienne in the fourth round this spring, but he's unlikely to unseat Dowdle as the No. 2 back to start the season.
More Fantasy News
Uncertain to return to Carolina
General manager Dan Morgan said Tuesday that the door is open for Dowdle to return to Carolina in 2026, but the Panthers will give him the opportunity to test the market in free agency, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Another quiet showing
Dowdle recorded five rushes for nine yards in Saturday's 34-31 wild-card loss to the Rams. He added one reception on two targets for six yards.
ANALYSIS
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Forgettable afternoon in loss
Dowdle rushed seven times for 10 yards and brought in both targets for 20 yards in the Panthers' 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Saturday. He also lost a fumble and recovered another.
ANALYSIS
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Logs full practice Wednesday
Dowdle (toe) practiced fully Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Returns to practice Wednesday
Dowdle (toe) is participating in practice Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Interest from Washington
Dowdle has been linked to the Commanders as a potential match in free agency, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
The Commanders seem intent on utilizing a powerful inside runner to complement shifty quarterback Jayden Daniels. Dowdle would fit the bill, as the 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back is coming off consecutive regular seasons with more than 1,000 rushing yards. Dowdle rushed for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns with Dallas in 2024, then produced 1,076 rushing yards and six touchdowns for the Panthers in the 2025 regular season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in both seasons.
The Commanders seem intent on utilizing a powerful inside runner to complement shifty quarterback Jayden Daniels. Dowdle would fit the bill, as the 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back is coming off consecutive regular seasons with more than 1,000 rushing yards. Dowdle rushed for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns with Dallas in 2024, then produced 1,076 rushing yards and six touchdowns for the Panthers in the 2025 regular season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in both seasons.