2024 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
89
YDS
361
TD
2
YDS
144
TD
2
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
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
The South Carolina product saw a career-high 106 touches over 16 regular-season games last season, leading to 505 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns, but those numbers figure to spike significantly in 2024. It's still unclear how the backfield workload will be divided between Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and recent free-agent signee Dalvin Cook, who will begin the season on the practice squad, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Dowdle handled at least a plurality of the touches out of the gate given his versatility and three-down skill set.
The South Carolina product saw a career-high 106 touches over 16 regular-season games last season, leading to 505 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns, but those numbers figure to spike significantly in 2024. It's still unclear how the backfield workload will be divided between Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott and recent free-agent signee Dalvin Cook, who will begin the season on the practice squad, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Dowdle handled at least a plurality of the touches out of the gate given his versatility and three-down skill set.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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2020
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Rico Dowdle lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2024 Rico Dowdle Split Stats
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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
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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
Cameo in preseason opener
Dowdle carried the ball three times for 14 yards in Sunday's 13-12 preseason loss to the Rams.
ANALYSIS
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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
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Joined by Zeke in shaky backfield
The Cowboys are signing Ezekiel Elliott to join Dowdle in a backfield that otherwise lacks experienced players and early draft picks, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Remaining with Dallas
Dowdle is set to re-sign with the Cowboys, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Strong season in backup role
Dowdle finished the regular season with 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries while catching 17 of 22 targets for 144 yards and two more TDs over 16 games.
ANALYSIS
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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.