Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle had a breakout campaign after amassing less than 100 carries in the 2023 season.
The Cowboys lost a 1,000-yard rusher with Tony Pollard leaving in free agency after the 2023 season, but Dowdle filled in and excelled in a bigger role for Dallas. The 26-year-old back rushed for 1,079 yards on 235 carries with two touchdowns despite spending the first half of the season splitting carries with Ezekiel Elliot.
With Dowdle set to become a free agent, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton listed him as a free agent who could become a superstar on a new team in 2025.
“NFL teams can find untapped potential in free agency, as players may be ready to blossom into stardom in a situation that allows them to take full advantage of opportunities,” Moton wrote. “Rico Dowdle could’ve been a breakout star running back this past season, but the Dallas Cowboys split his workload with Ezekiel Elliott for more than half of the campaign.”
“Because of his versatile skill set, Dowdle could be one of the league’s top running backs in a featured role despite having only 331 NFL carries on his resume.”
In the last seven games of the season, Dowdle played great in the expanded role, rushing for 70 or more yards in six out of seven games. His 39 receptions for 249 yards and three receiving touchdowns showed his three-down potential and versatility. Dallas would be a good spot for Dowdle to be a star if they give him a workhorse role, but if not, a team in need of a running back could use him.
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