Head to Head · Start / Sit

Josh Jacobs vs Rico Dowdle

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

RBGreen Bay PackersPPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 10

RBPittsburgh Steelers

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 9

Head to Head

14.6 PPG11.6 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Josh Jacobs vs Rico Dowdle: Who Should You Start?

Josh Jacobs and Rico Dowdle are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG across 15 games with the Green Bay Packers, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG in 17 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 3.0-PPG gap gives Josh Jacobs 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. Josh Jacobs ran for 929 yards and 13 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: Josh Jacobs sits Week 10 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

Josh Jacobs outscored Rico Dowdle by 3.0 PPG in 2025 (14.6 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 Josh Jacobs or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Josh Jacobs and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 10, and Rico Dowdle (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Jacobs or Rico Dowdle a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored Rico Dowdle by 3.0 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.