Both Rico Dowdle of the Dallas Cowboys and Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers are part of a crowded but less-than-impressive running back group. But can fantasy managers expect more production from a backup on a good team (Dowdle) or a starter for a bad team (Hubbard)?
Let’s check out the fantasy football outlook for both players heading into this season.
2024 Fantasy Outlook for Rico Dowdle
Dowdle is the RB39 in Pro Football Network’s consensus fantasy football rankings as of Aug. 28. Although hardly in the upper echelon of running backs in fantasy, this ranking is noteworthy for a player entering his fourth NFL season and has 113 career touches on his résumé.
Dowdle saw his most time on the field last season, and that still only consisted of 89 rush attempts over 16 games. However, his 4.1 yards per carry and 17 receptions — two of which went for touchdowns — suggest he is capable of being productive if given more of an opportunity.
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Many fantasy managers probably think that opportunity will come this season. Although Dowdle is listed No. 2 on the Cowboys’ running back depth chart behind Ezekiel Elliott, Elliott is clearly on the back nine of his NFL career, and Dowdle could move past him at some point.
On the other hand, the Cowboys’ recent signing of veteran RB Dalvin Cook could also be viewed by some as a sign that Dallas isn’t thrilled with its running back situation at all.
2024 Fantasy Outlook for Chuba Hubbard
A couple of spots behind Dowdle in PFN’s consensus rankings, Hubbard comes in as the RB41.
Hubbard is coming off the best season of his career, both as a runner (906 rush yards), receiver (39 receptions), and in fantasy production (10.7 fantasy points per game). But just how much more can fantasy managers expect from him in Year 4?
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The Panthers certainly don’t value Hubbard that highly since they went out and drafted RB Jonathon Brooks in the second round of last April’s NFL Draft. While Brooks will begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, once healthy, how much will he eat into Hubbard’s time on the field?
Not to mention, the Panthers still have Miles Sanders on the roster. However, Sanders is coming off a career-low 159 touches last season, so his impact in 2024 will likely be minimal.
Who Should I Draft in 2024?
From a fantasy standpoint, both Dowdle and Hubbard are in difficult situations. Neither would be worth taking anywhere before the later rounds., but given the choice between the two, Hubbard’s situation appears to be a little more appealing for fantasy managers.
Early in the season, he should see more time on the field than Dowdle.