Head to Head · Start / Sit

Jordan Mason vs Rico Dowdle

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

RBMinnesota Vikings

Jordan Mason

PPG

7.6

Games

Rush Yds

758

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 6

RBPittsburgh SteelersPPG LEADER

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 9

Head to Head

7.6 PPG11.6 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 9

Jordan Mason vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?

Jordan Mason and Rico Dowdle are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jordan Mason averaged 7.6 PPG across 16 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG in 17 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 4.0-PPG gap gives Rico Dowdle 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. Jordan Mason ran for 758 yards and 6 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: Jordan Mason sits Week 6 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

Rico Dowdle outscored Jordan Mason by 4.0 PPG in 2025 (11.6 to 7.6). 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 Jordan Mason or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Jordan Mason's 7.6 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 Jordan Mason and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

Jordan Mason averaged 7.6 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 4.0 points per game.

When are Jordan Mason and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jordan Mason (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Rico Dowdle (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jordan Mason or Rico Dowdle a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Rico Dowdle outscored Jordan Mason by 4.0 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.