Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Rico Dowdle vs Tyler WarrenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Tyler Warren's 8.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rico Dowdle is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Rico Dowdle (11.6 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Tyler Warren (8.9 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBCarolina Panthers#21PPG LEADER

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 5

TEIndianapolis Colts#12

Tyler Warren

PPG

8.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

817

Rec TDs

Targets

112

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Rico Dowdle

Tyler Warren

Head to Head

11.6 PPG8.9 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Rico Dowdle: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #21 at the position). Tyler Warren: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #12 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

Rico Dowdle vs Tyler Warren: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Rico Dowdle (RB, Carolina Panthers) against Tyler Warren (TE, Indianapolis Colts) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Tyler Warren posted 8.9 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Rico Dowdle has his bye in Week 5, Tyler Warren in Week 13. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: Rico Dowdle (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Tyler Warren (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Rico Dowdle outscored Tyler Warren by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rico Dowdle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Tyler Warren caught 76 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Rico Dowdle vs Tyler Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Rico Dowdle	Tyler Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.6	8.9
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	197	151
Rushing Yards	1,076	8
Rush Yds/Game	63.3	0.5
Rushing TDs	6	1
Receptions	39	76
Receiving Yards	297	817
Targets	50	112
Total TDs	7	5
Age	27	24
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 13

Summary

11.6 PPG for Rico Dowdle versus 8.9 for Tyler Warren in 2025. The baseline favors Rico Dowdle, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Rico Dowdle or Tyler Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Tyler Warren's 8.9 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 Rico Dowdle and Tyler Warren average in 2025?▾

Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Warren averaged 8.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Rico Dowdle and Tyler Warren's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Rico Dowdle (CAR) has a bye in Week 5, and Tyler Warren (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.