FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Rico Dowdle To Lead Cowboys In Rushing?

By Jared Smola | Updated on Mon, Sep 2 2024 3:18 PM UTC

The Athletic's Jon Machota considers RB Rico Dowdle the favorite to lead the Cowboys in carries and rushing yards this season. Dowdle impressed with his explosion and pass-catching ability throughout camp, Machota writes.

What They're Saying

Machota on Dowdle's camp: "The fifth-year back looked to make the most of his opportunities in Oxnard, Calif. He was Dallas’ most explosive back and showcased an ability in the passing game to be a complete back. ... In a room that includes Elliott and Dalvin Cook, Dowdle should be the favorite to lead the Cowboys in rushing attempts and rushing yards this season."

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Dallas' backfield remains one of the most difficult to project heading into Week 1. Elliott and Cook are trusted veterans but have very little gas left in the tank. Dowdle flashed a few times last year and has had a nice offseason -- but he has 113 total touches through four NFL seasons.

We're ultimately expecting this to be a two- or three-man committee backfield throughout the season. But there should be enough fantasy points to go around to make at least one Cowboys RB a fantasy factor.

And they're all cheap.

Elliott - ninth-round ADP as RB38
Dowdle - 11th-round ADP as RB44
Cook - 19th-round ADP as RB66

All are fine shots at those prices, but it sounds like Dowdle should be the top target in remaining fantasy drafts.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.