Rico Dowdle
25-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
89
YDS
361
TD
2
YDS
144
TD
2
2024 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
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
The Zeke reunion has been in the works for weeks, but most people still expected the Cowboys to add at least one running back during the 2024 NFL Draft. They ultimately didn't select one, leaving Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn as the competition behind Elliott and Dowdle. An undrafted free agent or two likely will be added to that mix, but it should still be a favorable situation for Elliott and Dowdle to earn playing time.
The Zeke reunion has been in the works for weeks, but most people still expected the Cowboys to add at least one running back during the 2024 NFL Draft. They ultimately didn't select one, leaving Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn as the competition behind Elliott and Dowdle. An undrafted free agent or two likely will be added to that mix, but it should still be a favorable situation for Elliott and Dowdle to earn playing time.
NFL Stats
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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.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Rico Dowdle's 2023 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 %
13.5%Positive Run %
84.3%% Yds After Contact
63.7%Avg Yds After Contact
2.6Rushing TD %
2.2%Touches Per Game
6.6% Snaps w/Touch
45.5%Air Yards Per Game
-0.6Air Yards Per Snap
-0.04% Team Air Yards
-0.2%% Team Targets
3.6%Avg Depth of Target
-0.5 YdsCatch Rate
77.3%Drop Rate
9.1%Avg Yds After Catch
9.9% Targeted On Route
21.6%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2023 NFL Game Log
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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
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2023 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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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could soon see Elliott return
Dowdle, who remains atop the Cowboys' depth chart at running back after the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, appears increasingly likely to soon be joined in the team's running back room by veteran Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Archer notes the Cowboys already met with Elliott and his agent early this week and then saw the Panthers move ahead of them in the second round Friday night and select Texas' Jonathon Brooks, who Dallas was reportedly interested in. While owner Jerry Jones naturally left the door open for the selection of at least one back in the final four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday, it appears increasingly likely Dowdle will soon have Elliott as a backfield mate once again following the latter's one season in New England in 2023.
Archer notes the Cowboys already met with Elliott and his agent early this week and then saw the Panthers move ahead of them in the second round Friday night and select Texas' Jonathon Brooks, who Dallas was reportedly interested in. While owner Jerry Jones naturally left the door open for the selection of at least one back in the final four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday, it appears increasingly likely Dowdle will soon have Elliott as a backfield mate once again following the latter's one season in New England in 2023.
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
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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Reaches century mark in Week 18
Dowdle carried the ball nine times for 46 yards and caught three of four targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 38-10 rout of the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
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Gets back to full participation
Dowdle (ankle) practiced in full Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Limited Wednesday
Dowdle (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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