If a rising tide lifts all boats, you have to understand that the opposite is also true. Things are pretty bleak for the Cowboys as we enter the final contest of Week 11. They’ve lost four straight games and they’ll be without Dak Prescott for the rest of the season. In the team’s first tilt with Cooper Rush under center, they managed just six points and spent a majority of the fourth quarter playing backups. Woof.
As you might expect, Dallas possessed one of the league’s lowest implied team totals for Week 11. Down with the likes of the Titans and the Jaguars — two offenses that aren’t exactly known for boosting the fantasy value of their skill position players. That’s why it’s difficult to get too excited about Rico Dowdle.
Yes, Dowdle is the No. 1 RB in this ground attack, but that’s not a very heralded role at the moment. Dowdle has only carried the ball more than 12 times once in 2024 and he has as many games with single-digit FPTS as he does double-digit.
The fact of the matter is that Ezekiel Elliott remains a thorn in Dowdle’s side. While the former fourth-overall pick is clearly past his prime and is averaging a putrid 3.2 yards per carry, Dowdle can not access his fantasy ceiling with the veteran hanging around. To wit, Dowdle’s season-high snap share of 71.4% came in Week 9 with Elliott suspended. Aside from that contest, Dowdle’s logged a snap rate of over 50% just twice this season, with his second-highest rate being 51.7%. Dowdle has also yet to score a rushing touchdown, whereas Elliott has two and more red zone carries (8).
This mini committee wasn’t a huge hinderance when the Cowboys were projecting to be one of the NFL’s best offenses, but now? When touchdowns in general will be at a premium? It’s a serious issue.
Dowdle’s role as a pass catcher keeps him viable, especially in PPR settings, yet in a tough matchup against the Texans — who have surrendered the sixth-fewest FPTS per game to opposing running backs — he’s a low-end RB2 at best. You’ll likely have to start Dowdle this evening. You’re even more likely to not be thrilled about it.
Start or Sit Rico Dowdle? Start.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
