Head to Head · Start / Sit

D'Andre Swift vs Rico Dowdle

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

RBChicago BearsPPG LEADER

D'Andre Swift

PPG

13.2

Games

Rush Yds

1,087

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

299

Bye

Week 7

RBPittsburgh Steelers

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 9

Head to Head

13.2 PPG11.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

D'Andre Swift vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?

D'Andre Swift and Rico Dowdle are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 PPG across 16 games with the Chicago Bears, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG in 17 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 1.6-PPG gap gives D'Andre Swift the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. D'Andre Swift ran for 1087 yards and 9 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: D'Andre Swift sits Week 7 while Rico Dowdle is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

D'Andre Swift outscored Rico Dowdle by 1.6 PPG in 2025 (13.2 to 11.6). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start D'Andre Swift or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, D'Andre Swift has the edge at 13.2 PPG compared to Rico Dowdle's 11.6 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did D'Andre Swift and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are D'Andre Swift and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

D'Andre Swift (CHI) has a bye in Week 7, and Rico Dowdle (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is D'Andre Swift or Rico Dowdle a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

D'Andre Swift outscored Rico Dowdle by 1.6 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.