Rico Dowdle vs Tyjae Spears: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between Rico Dowdle and Tyjae Spears is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back put up 11.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Tyjae Spears of the Tennessee Titans averaged 6.9 in 13. A 4.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 4.7 points favors Rico Dowdle, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.
Tyjae Spears is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 264 yards, while Rico Dowdle profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1076 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Tyjae Spears carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Rico Dowdle has his bye in Week 9, and Tyjae Spears 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.
