RB Rico Dowdle could be an under the radar addition for the Broncos

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 21: Rico Dowdle #5 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the first half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images Last offseason, the Denver Broncos made it a priority to upgrade their running game.

They spent a second-round pick on rookie running back R.J. Harvey and would sign veteran running back JK Dobbins later in the offseason. Dobbins would end up being one of the top backs in the NFL before suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury. Meanwhile, rookie RJ Harvey would score 12 total touchdowns but struggle to consistently run the ball.

Once Dobbins went down with the Lisfranc injury, the Denver Broncos’ run game struggled to do much of anything in the second half of the year. Harvey only averaged 3.7 yards per carry this season, and did not produce all that much on the ground during the Broncos’ eventual postseason run. He made his mark in the passing game, sure, but his rush efficiency was not good.

Now, with Dobbins coming off a season-ending Lisfranc injury and a free agent, the Broncos once again will be in the market for a running back. If they want to be Super Bowl contenders this upcoming season, they need to give quarterback Bo Nix a strong running game. There goes Rico Dowdle for 43 yards!

MIAvsCAR on FOX/FOX One https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/4G1FS2SHgQ — NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025 One player who could make sense for the Denver Broncos is Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle. He had a breakout 2024 season with the Cowboys and repeated that this past season with the Panthers. Dowdle had 236 carries for 1,076 yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.

He also had 39 receptions for 297 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. His stats are nearly identical to what he did with the Cowboys in 24, so he is coming off back-to-back productive seasons for two different teams. Dowdle’s production is on par with a lot of the top backs available in free agency, but his price tag might not be as high.

Due to that, he is an under-the-radar and productive addition the Broncos can make to their backfield this offseason.

Player Profile Rico Dowdle | Running Back | Carolina Panthers Height: 5-11 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 27 years old (turns 28 in June) Experience: 6th season in the NFL 2025 stats: 236 carries for 1,076 yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, and averaged 4.6 yards per carry, 39 receptions for 297 yards, and 1 receiving touchdown Should the Broncos sign running back Rico Dowdle? He is at least an intriguing option for them.

The top backs like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, and so on will likely demand top-of-the-market deals if they hit free agency. Meanwhile, Dowdle signed a one-year, $2,750,000 deal with the Panthers last season after coming off a nearly identical season he had this year. I’d imagine he will get more than that this time around, but even then, it won’t be anything that will break the bank.

Dowdle also had some big performances this past season. He topped 200 rushing yards vs. the Dolphins and then followed that up with a 200+ total yard game the following week vs. the Cowboys. He would also have a 130-yard rushing performance vs. the Green Bay Packers later in the season. So, he has the talent to pop off some big games and did it in an offense that struggled to get things going throughout the year.