Breece Hall vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Breece Hall and Rico Dowdle is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Breece Hall averaged 11.9 PPG with the New York Jets across 16 games, and Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 17.
When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Breece Hall ran for 1065 yards and 4 touchdowns; Rico Dowdle posted 1076 and 6. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Breece Hall has his bye in Week 12, and Rico Dowdle rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
