Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jake Ferguson vs Rico DowdleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Jake Ferguson's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Rico Dowdle (11.6 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Jake Ferguson (8.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEDallas Cowboys#14

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 14

RBCarolina Panthers#21PPG LEADER

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Jake Ferguson

Rico Dowdle

Head to Head

8.7 PPG11.6 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 at the position). Rico Dowdle: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #21 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB in most league formats.

Jake Ferguson vs Rico Dowdle: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Jake Ferguson (TE, Dallas Cowboys) against Rico Dowdle (RB, Carolina Panthers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Jake Ferguson has his bye in Week 14, Rico Dowdle in Week 5. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Jake Ferguson (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rico Dowdle (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Rico Dowdle outscored Jake Ferguson by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jake Ferguson scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jake Ferguson vs Rico Dowdle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jake Ferguson	Rico Dowdle
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	11.6
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	148	197
Rushing Yards	1	1,076
Rush Yds/Game	0.1	63.3
Rushing TDs	0	6
Receptions	82	39
Receiving Yards	600	297
Targets	102	50
Total TDs	8	7
Age	27	27
Experience	3 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Rico Dowdle holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.6 points per game. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jake Ferguson or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Jake Ferguson's 8.7 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 Jake Ferguson and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Jake Ferguson and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 14, and Rico Dowdle (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.