Rico Dowdle vs RJ Harvey: Who Should You Start?
Rico Dowdle (11.6 PPG) and RJ Harvey (10.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Rico Dowdle played 17 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers; RJ Harvey suited up 17 times for the Denver Broncos.
A 0.8-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
RJ Harvey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 47 targets into 356 yards, while Rico Dowdle profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1076 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats RJ Harvey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Rico Dowdle sits Week 9 while RJ Harvey is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
