Rico Dowdle vs Saquon Barkley: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Rico Dowdle and Saquon Barkley for your lineup, you are not alone. Rico Dowdle finished the 2025 season at 11.6 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games), and Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 for the Philadelphia Eagles (16 games).
That 1.8-point weekly advantage for Saquon Barkley is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Rico Dowdle ran for 1076 yards and 6 touchdowns; Saquon Barkley posted 1140 and 7. 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: Rico Dowdle sits Week 9 while Saquon Barkley is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
