Rico Dowdle

Dowdle would step in for Chuba Hubbard and likely get most of the carries, so he’d be a useful starter only if Hubbard misses time. Add him as cheap insurance in most leagues—especially deeper ones—but don’t start him unless Hubbard is out or hurt.

He’s worth a look because the Panthers often swap running backs, so he could play more if the starter misses time. Pick him up if you need a cheap backup or play in a big league; otherwise sit him on your bench and watch the injury news.

He’s mostly a third-down pass catcher who can help in deeper leagues or leagues that give points for catches, so stash him on your bench there but don’t start him in smaller leagues unless the main back gets hurt or his role clearly grows. Only plug him in if he’s regularly playing third-down and getting about eight passes thrown his way a game — watch early-season playing time and target reports.

Draft him in the late rounds as a bench insurance — he catches passes and could be handy if the starter gets hurt, but he probably won’t do much unless that happens.