The Denver Broncos head into the offseason with a clear checklist: find playmakers and add some muscle to the backfield. They need a running back who can thrive between the tackles - someone who brings power, consistency, and ideally, a little burst.
With J.K. Dobbins hitting free agency after another injury setback, the Broncos are once again searching for answers at a position that’s been in flux.
One name that’s surfaced in the conversation is Rico Dowdle, most recently with the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle’s path to this point has been anything but conventional - and that’s part of what makes him intriguing.
After beginning his NFL journey as a backup in Dallas, Dowdle finally got his shot and made the most of it. He turned in a 1,000-yard season with the Cowboys, racking up 1,079 yards on 253 carries and adding a pair of touchdowns.
That performance earned him a one-year, incentive-laden deal with Carolina worth up to $6.25 million. Once again, he delivered.
So now, Dowdle is back on the market, and he’s earned the right to look for a more substantial contract. He’s proven he can carry a workload, and the numbers back it up. Over the past two seasons, he forced 79 missed tackles and averaged 3.21 yards after contact per attempt - a strong indicator of his ability to grind out tough yards and keep drives alive.
But here’s where the fit with Denver gets a little murky.
Dowdle is a dependable back - tough, durable, and efficient. But he’s not the kind of dynamic, game-changing runner who tilts the field.
He doesn’t bring that explosive element that can flip a drive with one cut and a burst through the second level. And for a Broncos team looking to inject life into an offense that’s struggled to create big plays, that’s a key piece of the puzzle.
There’s also a financial angle to consider. Dowdle is likely to command a market-value deal, if not more, given his recent production and the thin running back market. And while he’s certainly earned a raise, the Broncos have to ask themselves if investing in a “solid” back is the best use of their resources - especially when they’ve seen this movie before.
Sean Payton knows all about the value of a two-back system. In New Orleans, he paired Mark Ingram with Alvin Kamara to great effect.
But while Ingram was a steady presence, he often didn’t live up to the price tag. That’s the cautionary tale here.
Dowdle might help take pressure off a smaller back like RJ Harvey, providing a physical complement in an inside-outside tandem. But if the Broncos are going to spend in free agency, they need more than just “solid.”
They need someone who can change the game.
Carolina, for all of Dowdle’s contributions, is also expected to move on - and for similar reasons. They need more explosiveness on offense, and that’s not really Dowdle’s calling card.
The Broncos will have options this offseason, whether in free agency or the draft. And while Rico Dowdle could absolutely be a useful piece for the right team, Denver may be better off looking elsewhere - for a back who brings not just reliability, but the kind of upside that can help reshape an offense.