Rico Dowdle fantasy football preview 2025: Stats, season outlook, predictions
Rico Dowdle 2025 Fantasy Preview
2024: Attempting to move on from the Tony Pollard era, the Cowboys were reluctant to fully commit to Dowdle as their lead back. That finally changed in the team's six games after Thanksgiving, where Dowdle piled up 133 of his 274 touches. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry during that season-closing timespan. For the year, Dowdle was reasonably efficient. He caught 39 total passes.
What's changed: For whatever reason, the Cowboys didn't want Dowdle back, opting for an even more tortured four-man pileup. Failing to secure a starting opportunity in free agency, Dowdle had to settle for No. 2 duties in Carolina, where Trevor Etienne was added in the fourth round one month later.
Outlook: With Chuba Hubbard the overwhelming favorite for early-down touches, Dowdle finds himself competing with Etienne for change-of-pace work. None of the three are elite pass-catching backs, but that role is Dowdle's most obvious path to standalone value. Dowdle is a shaky late-round pick whose contingency value is probably best left on wires to begin the year.
Get personalized fantasy football insights based on your league settings with FantasyLife+. Your league is unique, your advice should be too. Head to fantasylife.com and use code ROTO20 for 20% off.
**Projections from Spotlight Sports Group
Go to: All players | QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a minute ago
- USA Today
Broncos broadcast claims Parsons wants to play in Denver, but the quote never happened
There's a lot of folks who talk professional football who aren't in regular season form yet, either. Earlier this summer, ESPN's First Take ran a highlight of Dak Prescott connecting with new wideout George Pickens from training camp. The problem? The Cowboys had yet to hold a single practice yet and the highlight was Prescott finding Brandin Cooks down the left sideline from two camps ago. This next one might even be more egregious, even if it didn't happen a grand scale. Fast forward to the ongoing preseason, where teams' local TV stations trot out their own broadcast teams to narrate the exhibition games. On the local Denver broadcast of this weekend's Broncos action, their team arranged an entire segment to talk about a star NFL player who wants to join the Broncos because they are on the verge of a Super Bowl run. Everyone is fully aware that the Dallas Cowboys are in the middle of a contract stalemate with All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons. The two sides haven't been able to reach an agreement as Parsons executes a hold-in, where he's at training camp but isn't participating in things that could injure him. If you haven't guessed by now, the full-throated support of the Broncos chances were attributed to Parsons, via his weekly podcast. The problem? Parsons didn't say anything of the sort; his podcast for Bleacher Report isn't even airing right now. It was all made up by a Twitter troll, just like the one that got ESPN. In the wide world of sports reporting, getting the scoop has now become more important than getting it right. But perhaps they might have noticed that there wasn't a single other outlet that was rolling with the news that a star player under contract was publicly waxing poetic about playing for a specific, different organization. Sorry Broncos fans that got duped. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Cowboys Injury Update: WR Mingo's knee biggest concern coming out of loss to Ravens
Jonathan Mingo injured his right knee against the Ravens and is scheduled for an MRI today. The Cowboys also had injuries to Bruce Harmon, Princeton Fant, and Christian Matthew in the preseason loss. The Dallas Cowboys came out of Saturday night's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens with several injury concerns. The most notable was wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, who is feared to have suffered a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in his right knee. Mingo landed awkwardly while trying to make a catch in the end zone during the third quarter, one play after recording a 49-yard reception. He went to the medical tent and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Mingo is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury. Early reports suggest he could miss time, depending on the results. Acquired by Dallas at last season's trade deadline, Mingo is competing for a roster spot in his first training camp with the team. A significant absence would complicate that competition and may force the Cowboys to make adjustments when setting the 53-man roster. Three other players also left the game with injuries: The Cowboys will learn more about the extent of Mingo's injury and the status of the others following further evaluation.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Cowboys Coach Gets Honest on Dak Prescott's Backup Situation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After two preseason games, the Dallas Cowboys' situation behind Dak Prescott is concerning. Joe Milton, an offseason trade acquisition from the New England Patriots, was expected to turn heads at training camp and throughout the preseason in his first run with the Cowboys. So far, the young veteran has shown plenty of struggles. The good news for Dallas is that Milton's head coach has not lost faith in him. Following Saturday night's loss against the Baltimore Ravens, Brian Schottenheimer addressed the state of the backup quarterback position after seeing the first two preseason games play out. "I wouldn't say I'm concerned," Schottenheimer told the media, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota. "We didn't get in a rhythm. ... It wasn't just Joe." Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer on QB Joe Milton: 'I wouldn't say I'm concerned. We didn't get in a rhythm. … It wasn't just Joe.' On the backup QB job: 'I feel like I don't have to decide anything today.' On having a backup QB they can trust: 'I think we have to believe… — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 17, 2025 Many believed that Milton would be the runaway candidate to back up Dak Prescott throughout the season. So far, it's hard to make the assumption that Milton is the surefire pick. Last week, Milton completed 17 of his 29 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against the Los Angeles Rams. He ended up exiting the game early with a minor setback. Fortunately, Milton wasn't dealing with anything concerning enough to threaten his second week's availability. Joe Milton III #10 of the Dallas Cowboys throws during the first half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Arlington, Texas Joe Milton III #10 of the Dallas Cowboys throws during the first half of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Arlington, TexasMilton got the start against the Ravens on Saturday, and the game didn't go as planned. The veteran quarterback completed nine of his 18 pass attempts. He totaled 122 yards while throwing an interception. "I feel like I don't have to decide anything today," Schottenheimer said, regarding the backup position. As underwhelming as Milton has been, Will Grier's limited action hasn't made a case to force Milton out of the picture. Against the Ravens, Grier threw for 33 yards, completing just one of his five attempts. So far, neither player has stood out enough to become Prescott's guaranteed No. 2. Earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys were praised for their decision to add Milton in a trade with the Patriots. That deal isn't looking like the slam dunk it seemed on paper just yet. Read More: Cowboys Make Key QB Decision for Upcoming Preseason Clash The Cowboys will head into the final week of the preseason holding a 0-2 record. After a 31-13 loss, they haven't felt great about what they've put on display so far. Next Friday's outing against the Atlanta Falcons will give the Cowboys one more chance to get it together before they pay a visit to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 4. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
