Rico Dowdle
26-Year-Old
2024 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
15
YDS
56
TD
0
YDS
35
TD
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Dowdle is an interesting fringe prospect and a fine part of the Dallas roster, but he's probably not the type of backup who can truly take over for a starter if an emergency arises. He looks the part of a powerful runner at 5-11, 215, but he struggled with injuries at South Carolina and never lived up to the promise of his 2016 freshman season. That initial campaign produced his collegiate highs for touches (148), total yards (819) and touchdowns (seven), with Dowdle limited by injuries, fumbles and/or timeshares thereafter. He then hung around the back end of the Cowboys' roster and practice squad for three years after going undrafted in 2020, finally getting his big break in 2023 as the No. 2 back behind Tony Pollard (who didn't miss any games). There's another opportunity on hand with Pollard gone and replaced by 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott, but Dowdle's mediocre work last season (4.1 YPC last season) leaves his depth chart standing in question, with anywhere from first to fourth looking possible as camp approaches. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Leads backfield in Sunday's loss
Dowdle carried the ball seven times for 30 yards and caught four of five targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the Saints.
ANALYSIS
The Cowboys used a backfield committee once again, but Dowdle got the start and saw 11 touches to Ezekiel Elliott's eight, and he out-gained the veteran, 59 scrimmage yards to 32. Neither back has separated himself from the other so far, making both unappealing fantasy options heading into a Week 3 tilt against the Ravens.
The Cowboys used a backfield committee once again, but Dowdle got the start and saw 11 touches to Ezekiel Elliott's eight, and he out-gained the veteran, 59 scrimmage yards to 32. Neither back has separated himself from the other so far, making both unappealing fantasy options heading into a Week 3 tilt against the Ravens.
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
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.
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
Advanced NFL Stats
How do Rico Dowdle's 2024 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 %
13.3%Positive Run %
86.7%% Yds After Contact
51.8%Avg Yds After Contact
1.9Rushing TD %
0.0%Touches Per Game
10.0% Snaps w/Touch
35.7%Air Yards Per Game
16.0Air Yards Per Snap
0.57% Team Air Yards
5.1%% Team Targets
8.3%Avg Depth of Target
5.3 YdsCatch Rate
83.3%Drop Rate
0.0%Avg Yds After Catch
4.6% Targeted On Route
24.0%Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.40Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2024 NFL Game Log
Loading Game Log...
Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Rico Dowdle lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Team Alignment Breakdown...
This Week's Opposing Pass Defense
How does the Ravens pass defense compare to other NFL teams this season?
The bars represents the team's percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
vs Ravens
Sunday, Sep 22nd at 4:25PM
Overall QB Rating Against
81.5
Cornerbacks
83.5
Safeties
115.8
Linebackers
60.4
Loading Opponent Pass Defense Stats...
2024 Rico Dowdle Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Measurables Review
View College Player Page
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
6' 0"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
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Rico Dowdle See More
RW's Jerry Donabedian assesses the fallout from various backfield injuries and role changes in Week 2, highlighting Carson Steele, Cam Akers, Chuba Hubbard and others as potential fantasy beneficiaries.
Week 2 was memorably brutal for injuries, but it wasn't all bad news for fantasy thanks to some young WRs getting elite usage and taking advantage. Jerry Donabedian has the scoop on everything Week 2.
NFL Props on Sam LaPorta, Marvin Harrison Jr. and other ahead of a full slate of games, courtesy of Betting Expert Kevin Payne
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2021
2020
The 25-year-old has just seven NFL carries since being signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina in 2020, as injuries have disrupted his career so far, but Dowdle drew high marks in training camp for his football IQ and blocking ability. His value as a special-teams player could secure him a spot on the 53-man roster regardless of how much usage he sees on offense.
More Fantasy News
Outperformed in Week 1
Dowdle carried the ball eight times for 26 yards in Sunday's 33-17 win over the Browns. He added one reception for six yards.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Likely to share work with Elliott
Dowdle is expected to have a "pretty even split" of the reps out of the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott in Sunday's season opener in Cleveland, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Will focus on offense in 2024
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that Dowdle will get less work on special teams this season due to an expected increase in his workload on offense, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Cameo in preseason opener
Dowdle carried the ball three times for 14 yards in Sunday's 13-12 preseason loss to the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Could lead team in rushing
Dowdle is on track for a roster spot and could even be considered the favorite to lead Dallas in rushing this year, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Gets backfield competition
Dowdle could face additional competition for playing time, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports that the Cowboys signed Dalvin Cook to their practice squad Wednesday,
ANALYSIS
Dowdle was one of three running backs named to Dallas' 53-man roster Tuesday, along with Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn. While Dowdle will likely get a chance to earn a prominent role early, the Cowboys now have the option of signing Cook to their active roster if the team isn't impressed with the early returns from Dowdle, who has logged just 96 rushing attempts since entering the professional ranks in 2020.
Dowdle was one of three running backs named to Dallas' 53-man roster Tuesday, along with Ezekiel Elliott and Deuce Vaughn. While Dowdle will likely get a chance to earn a prominent role early, the Cowboys now have the option of signing Cook to their active roster if the team isn't impressed with the early returns from Dowdle, who has logged just 96 rushing attempts since entering the professional ranks in 2020.