Rico Dowdle Week 1 Outlook - Cowboys at Browns

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Wed, Sep 4th 2024, 8:38pm EDT

Dowdle is a McCarthy favorite who will compete with Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook to be the lead back for this offense. It's easily possible he is the best back on this roster, considering his current competition. Last year, among 53 qualifying backs, he ranked 16th in yards after contact per attempt while also having the 23rd lowest stuff rate. Dowdle is nothing more than a middle-of-the-road flex for Week 1 because we have no clue what the division of labor will be. The matchup is nice, though, so if you need a flex with some upside, I don't hate wedging Dowdle into lineups in a pinch. Last year, Cleveland allowed the highest explosive run rate and missed tackles allowed per attempt while also giving up the second-highest yards after contact per attempt.