We’re down to single digits in our countdown towards the Carolina Panthers season opener. It’s now under a week away. With just days left, our countdown piece is focused on the player wearing the number 5 jersey: running back Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle, an Asheville native, graduated from the University of South Carolina and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He had limited opportunities behind Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliot until his fourth year. In 2024, Dowdle took over
the starting job and turned in a 1,079 yard season on 235 carries in an otherwise down year for Dallas. That season included a 25 carry and 149 yard day against the Carolina Panthers in a Week 15, 30-14 victory for the Cowboys.
He signed a 1-year, 2.75M contract with the Panthers in March of this year. Many fans, myself included, are hoping that he is less of a second fiddle to Chuba Hubbard and more part of a healthy rotation. Dowdle’s running style has been described as “angry” and “violent.” The hope is that he and Hubbard can form a powerful 1-2 punch that keeps defenses honest while quarterback Bryce Young finds his own footing with his young receiving corps.
Dowdle is the most significant free agent signing that the Panthers made on the offensive side of the ball. Here’s to hoping they put him to better use than they did their last free agent running back splash.
