Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Rhamondre Stevenson vs Rico DowdleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

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

The Bottom Line

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Rhamondre Stevenson and Rico Dowdle are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBNew England Patriots#22PPG LEADER

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 11

RBCarolina Panthers#21

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Rhamondre Stevenson

Rico Dowdle

Head to Head

11.6 PPG11.6 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Rico Dowdle: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #21 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Rhamondre Stevenson is producing at 53% of elite pace and Rico Dowdle at 53%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Rhamondre Stevenson vs Rico Dowdle: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Rhamondre Stevenson and Rico Dowdle is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG with the New England Patriots across 14 games, and Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 with the Carolina Panthers 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. Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 603 yards and 7 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.

Rhamondre Stevenson has his bye in Week 11, and Rico Dowdle rests in Week 5. 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.

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: Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Rico Dowdle (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Rico Dowdle by a projected 0 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rico Dowdle played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 14. That durability gap means Rico Dowdle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rhamondre Stevenson scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Rico Dowdle caught 39 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Rhamondre Stevenson vs Rico Dowdle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Rhamondre Stevenson	Rico Dowdle
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.6	11.6
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	162	197
Rushing Yards	603	1,076
Rush Yds/Game	43.1	63.3
Rushing TDs	7	6
Receptions	32	39
Receiving Yards	345	297
Targets	37	50
Total TDs	9	7
Age	28	27
Experience	4 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rhamondre Stevenson at 11.6 PPG, 0.0 points per game above Rico Dowdle's 11.6. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Rhamondre Stevenson or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rhamondre Stevenson has the edge at 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.0 points per game.

When are Rhamondre Stevenson and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) has a bye in Week 11, and Rico Dowdle (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Rhamondre Stevenson or Rico Dowdle a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Rico Dowdle by 0.0 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.