Rico Dowdle vs Zach Charbonnet: Who Should You Start?
This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Rico Dowdle finished the 2025 season at 11.6 PPG over 17 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Zach Charbonnet clocked in at 10.7 across 16 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.
With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Rico Dowdle ran for 1076 yards and 6 touchdowns; Zach Charbonnet posted 730 and 12. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
One scheduling note: Rico Dowdle is off Week 9 and Zach Charbonnet Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
