RD #13

Rico Dowdle

Running Back · South Carolina

Bruising back coming off a 1,000-yard year in Carolina who signed with Pittsburgh in the offseason.

Rico Dowdle has gone from undrafted free agent to bell-cow running back through sheer production. After leading Carolina in rushing in 2025, he cashed in with a multi-year deal from the Steelers.

★ Consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons

★ Panthers two-game franchise scrimmage-yards record (473)

Path to the league

Dowdle went undrafted out of South Carolina and signed with the Dallas Cowboys, spending his first four seasons in Dallas before emerging as the starter in 2024. He earned a larger opportunity in Carolina in 2025 and made the most of it.

Career highlights

Dowdle led the Panthers with 1,076 rushing yards in 2025, giving him consecutive 1,000-yard seasons between Carolina and Dallas, per Yahoo Sports. When Chuba Hubbard missed Weeks 5 and 6 with a calf injury, Dowdle erupted for a franchise-record 473 scrimmage yards over two games, surpassing Christian McCaffrey's previous mark. Coach Dave Canales praised his physical running style and elevated him to the lead role.

2025 season

Dowdle's breakout 2025 in Carolina earned him a two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, per ESPN. He joins a Pittsburgh backfield that also features Jaylen Warren and 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson.