RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Start in PPR leagues
POSITIONAL VALUE: RB3/FLEX
ANALYSIS: While he didn't have his best game in the Week 6 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has had some incredibly encouraging things going for him in recent weeks. For one, fellow RB Ezekiel Elliott has looked completely washed, leading to the fifth-year pro getting a higher share of the backfield work.
Notable backfield snap share splits from Week 6:
Tyrone Tracy📈
Chuba Hubbard📈
J.K. Dobbins📈
Bucky Irving📈
Chase Brown📈
Tank Bigsby📉
Rico Dowdle📉 pic.twitter.com/mmJHfK3uoP— Scott Spratt (@Scott_Spratt) October 14, 2024
His snaps were down in Week 6, but teams tend to preserve their players in games they know they will lose. They never had any hope against Detroit.
I asked #DallasCowboys HC Mike McCarthy about RB Rico Dowdle’s five carries on Sunday after a career game in Pittsburgh. He replied, “He definitely needs more touches.” pic.twitter.com/qRQegtWH49
— Garrett Podell (@garrettpodell) October 14, 2024
It's unlikely that they'll suffer another massive blowout loss coming off a bye week and playing against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8. San Fran is riddled with injuries, having lost star WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee) for the season, and considering star WR Deebo Samuel (illness) is recovering from pneumonia symptoms and star TE George Kittle (foot) dealing with an issue of his own.
The 49ers have had some smooth seasons where things fell into place easily and there weren’t many big obstacles.
This isn’t one of those seasons. If they want to reach the post season and advance, they are going to have to rise above rampant injuries, bad luck, bad officiating,… pic.twitter.com/aubPzP9FW9
— Dontay Atkinson (@DonAtkinsonNFL) October 22, 2024
In addition, Dowdle was targeted six times last game, so he has added value even when the team is down big. He's a fine player to start in PPR leagues since he has insulation from negative game scripts and has looked significantly better than Elliott this season.
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