The Panthers have agreed to a one-year contract with former Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle. That move comes shortly after the team dumped Miles Sanders.
Dowdle seemed to deliver a breakout season in 2024, with 1,079 rushing yards and an RB23 PPR finish despite opening the year splitting work with Ezekiel Elliott.
That he had to settle for a one-year pact with a team that has already committed to Chuba Hubbard, though -- and didn't get a new contract from Dallas -- says that he fell short of impressing.
Dowdle's role in Carolina is capped at No. 2. The Panthers are paying Hubbard $8.3 million a year on a four-year extension he signed in November.
Second-year RB Jonathon Brooks re-tore his right ACL in Week 14, though, and isn't a great bet to see the field much in 2025.
So there's handcuff upside to Dowdle ... as long as Carolina doesn't draft anyone better.
Treat Dowdle as no more than a handcuff for dynasty purposes. He'll turn 27 in June and doesn't look like a good candidate for a multi-year deal at any point.
Hubbard's at least a minor winner. Carolina could have added a stronger No. 2 given Brooks' issues. Barring a high-upside RB in the draft, this is a positive move.
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