Rico Dowdle lands in Carolina as the backfield fuses behind Hubbard and the newly drafted Trevor Etienne, setting up a true three-man committee rather than a clear lead option. Dowdle’s late-season surge with Dallas—133 of 274 touches in six games—highlighted his burst and pass-catching ability, but Carolina’s depth chart suggests his safest path to value is as a change-of-pace option rather than a weekly workhorse. His profile remains that of a shaky late-round pick whose best fantasy upside comes from contingency value rather than a stable role.

Expected production for 2025 projects Dowdle for a modest 112 carries and 447 yards with 3 rushing TDs, plus 37 receptions for 214 yards. If Etienne develops as a real contributor and Hubbard handles early-down work, Dowdle’s best path is as a high-upside FLEX in deeper formats and a speculative waiver-wire target early in the year. In short, he’s more dynasty depth than redraft staple, with value tied to how Carolina distributes carries and targets among its backfield trio.