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Panthers RB Rico Dowdle should be hot commodity in free agency

Rico Dowdle is set to be a free agent this offseason. Could the Carolina Panthers re-sign him?
Jeremy Brener|
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle breaks away for a long gain with less than a minute left in the game.
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle breaks away for a long gain with less than a minute left in the game. | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers will have to make a decision soon regarding running back Rico Dowdle's future with the team.

Dowdle signed a one-year contract with the team in the spring in hopes of being Chuba Hubbard's backup. However, he has done enough to become the starter and one of the best running backs in the NFL. Sports Illustrated contributor Matt Verdarame named Dowdle the No. 24 free agent in the league for the offseason.

"Dowdle has proven to be one of the best signings of the past year. Carolina gave Dowdle a one-year deal, and he’s shown why he’s deserving of a bigger investment, rushing for 929 yards (4.8 YPC) and five touchdowns while helping the Panthers to a 7–6 record. Still only 27 years old, he should get a litany of multi-year offers," Verdarame wrote.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushes during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Ram
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushes during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Dowdle should be one of NFL's top free agents

The only running backs ranked higher than Dowdle were Javonte Williams (Dallas Cowboys), Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Breece Hall (New York Jets).

One thing working in Carolina's favor towards re-signing Dowdle is the fact that rival teams may not feel that he cannot replicate the success he's had with the Panthers this season.

Only Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts), James Cook (Buffalo Bills), De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins), Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions), Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), the aforementioned Williams (Dallas Cowboys) and Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) have run for more yards this season than Dowdle.

The final four games of the season should go a long way towards determining Dowdle's market for the offseason and how much he will be worth on the open market. A strong performance to close the season should allow Dowdle a lot more freedom when it comes to where and who he can sign with in the spring.

Dowdle and the Panthers are back in action in Week 15 against the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET inside Caesars Superdome. Fans can watch the game on FOX or stream it on the NFL app.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle runs with the ball in the third quarter
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle runs with the ball in the third quarter. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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