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Christian McCaffrey or Rico Dowdle

Who Should I Start? - Week 1 • Start New
Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey

RB • San Francisco 49ers SF
Rico Dowdle

Rico Dowdle

RB • Pittsburgh Steelers PIT
OR
🔓 EXPERT ANALYSIS

Owners starting McCaffrey over Dowdle

 
 
 
 
START BOTH START BENCH BOTH BN

Includes Detailed Projections

Learn More
Outlook Christian McCaffrey

Elite PPR Ceiling Remains Unmatched As Age-30 Workload Concerns Dissolve

Christian McCaffrey remains the premier dual-threat weapon in fantasy football, shrugging off workload concerns entering his age-30 season. After carrying the ball 335 times in 2025, any worries about regression are mitigated by his elite status. While the 49ers' depth chart features Jordan James and rookie Kaelon Black, McCaffrey's lead role is fully secure.

His passing-game involvement is a massive cheat code in PPR leagues. Our models project McCaffrey to rack up 76 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns on 93 targets. The offseason addition of Mike Evans and the absence of Brandon Aiyuk ensure San Francisco’s high-powered offense remains hyper-efficient.

Fantasy managers are fully bought in, keeping his ADP remarkably stable at 5.0 overall. Our projections of 322.3 PPR fantasy points suggest he is a premier first-round anchor rather than a risky investment. He provides a comfortable, high-scoring floor that makes him a true draft-day prize.

Updated 15 hrs ago

Latest News Christian McCaffrey
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🔓 EXPERT ANALYSIS

Owners starting Dowdle over McCaffrey

 
 
 
 
START BOTH START BENCH BOTH BN

Includes Detailed Projections

Learn More
Outlook Rico Dowdle

Reunion with McCarthy and a Defined Committee Role Make Rico Dowdle a Draft-Day Value Steal

Rico Dowdle enters a fresh chapter with the Steelers, reuniting with Mike McCarthy. He is currently slated as a key committee option behind Jaylen Warren in a run-heavy scheme. Our projections estimate a productive role with 181 carries and 34 receptions, positioning him for a strong weekly contribution.

Fantasy managers are drafting Dowdle with confidence, as his ADP has stabilized around 83.00 over the past month. In PPR formats, this draft cost represents a fantastic value opportunity. Our models view him as a potential steal at this price, especially given his proven efficiency in previous seasons.

While he shares the backfield, Dowdle’s dual-threat ability keeps his fantasy floor secure. His focus remains on executing his role in this competitive offense. Slotting him as a regular flex play or premium bench depth provides high upside for fantasy rosters.

Updated 15 hrs ago

Latest News Rico Dowdle
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Next Up ❱ Performance Comparison
Performance Christian McCaffrey
Fantasy Chart Loading...

ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS TD
0000000
Season stats based on the past 7 days

ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS TD
0000000
Season stats based on the past 14 days
Performance Rico Dowdle
Fantasy Chart Loading...

ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS TD
0000000
Season stats based on the past 7 days

ATT YDS AVG TD REC YDS TD
0000000
Season stats based on the past 14 days
Next Up ❱ Redzone Touches
Redzone Touches Christian McCaffrey
REDZONE
WK OPP ATT TAR REC
1 @LAR 🔓 🔓 🔓
2 MIA 🔓 🔓 🔓
3 ARI 🔓 🔓 🔓
4 DEN 🔓 🔓 🔓
5 @SEA 🔓 🔓 🔓
6 WAS 🔓 🔓 🔓
7 @ATL 🔓 🔓 🔓
8 BYE 🔓 🔓 🔓
9 LV 🔓 🔓 🔓
10 @DAL 🔓 🔓 🔓
11 MIN 🔓 🔓 🔓
12 SEA 🔓 🔓 🔓
12 @NYG 🔓 🔓 🔓
13 LAR 🔓 🔓 🔓
15 @LAC 🔓 🔓 🔓
16 @KC 🔓 🔓 🔓
17 PHI 🔓 🔓 🔓
18 @ARI 🔓 🔓 🔓
19 🔓 🔓 🔓
20 🔓 🔓 🔓

Redzone data is for premium members only.

Redzone Touches Rico Dowdle
REDZONE
WK OPP ATT TAR REC
1 ATL 🔓 🔓 🔓
2 @NE 🔓 🔓 🔓
3 CIN 🔓 🔓 🔓
4 @CLE 🔓 🔓 🔓
5 IND 🔓 🔓 🔓
6 @TB 🔓 🔓 🔓
7 @NO 🔓 🔓 🔓
8 CLE 🔓 🔓 🔓
9 BYE 🔓 🔓 🔓
10 @CIN 🔓 🔓 🔓
11 @PHI 🔓 🔓 🔓
12 DEN 🔓 🔓 🔓
12 HOU 🔓 🔓 🔓
13 @JAC 🔓 🔓 🔓
15 BAL 🔓 🔓 🔓
16 CAR 🔓 🔓 🔓
17 @TEN 🔓 🔓 🔓
18 @BAL 🔓 🔓 🔓
19 🔓 🔓 🔓

Redzone data is for premium members only.

Next Up ❱ Own/Start Comparison
OWN/START Christian McCaffrey
OWN
100%
No change since last week.
START
98%
No change since last week.
OWN/START Rico Dowdle
OWN
100%
No change since last week.
START
55%
No change since last week.
Next Up ❱ Consensus Rankings
Expert Consensus Christian McCaffrey
9th
Average Ranking of Fantasy Experts
Expert Consensus Rico Dowdle
30th
Average Ranking of Fantasy Experts
Next Up ❱ Player Breakdowns
Breakdown Christian McCaffrey

    Overview

  • Just about every team utilizies the dreaded 'running backs by comittee' policy. Two solid #1 starters are hard to find.
  • Experts rank this player at 26th among RB's. Based on his stats from the past 30 days, he is currently ranked 1st with 365.60 total points (18.28 avg).
  • He is doing much better than most people thought he would.
  • Average points in the past two weeks have dipped quite a bit at 18.3.

    • Receiving Stats

  • Top 3 in receptions and is currently ranked 1st among RB.
  • Top 3 in targets and is currently ranked 1st among RB.
  • Top 3 in reception yards with 977 and 8.96 YPC and is currently ranked 1st among RB.
  • Top 3 in Rec TDs with 7 and is currently ranked 1st among RB.
  • Top 3 in red zone targets and is currently ranked 1st among RB.
  • Top 3 in red zone receptions and is currently ranked 1st among RB.
  • Top 3 in red zone attempts and is currently ranked 1st among RB.

    • Rushing Stats

  • Top 3 in rush attempts with 335 (18.61 per game) and is currently ranked 2nd among RB.
  • Top 10 in rush yards with 1291 (71.72 per game) and is currently ranked 8th among RB.
  • Top 10 in rush tds with 11 (0.61 per game) and is currently ranked 8th among RB.

    • Bonus Qualities

  • Played in 14 more games this year than last year.
  • At this point in the season his numbers compared to last years: Rush Yards: +1172, Rush AVG: -0.2 Rush TDs: +11, Receptions: +105, Rec Yards: +936 Rec TDs: +9,
  • His touches per game on the ground are great.
  • Involved in both the running and passing game!
  • Unfortunately two players have the same exact name and his rating may not be entirely accurate at this point. We are working on fixing situations like this!

    • Season Outlook

  • RUSH ATT: 245, RUSH YDS: 1046, RUSH TDS: 9, REC: 76, REC YDS: 664, REC TDS: 4
Breakdown Rico Dowdle

    Overview

  • Just about every team utilizies the dreaded 'running backs by comittee' policy. Two solid #1 starters are hard to find.
  • Experts rank this player at 30th among RB's. Based on his stats from the past 30 days, he is currently ranked 20th with 186.20 total points (9.80 avg).
  • Currently 179.4 points behind the leader: Christian McCaffrey
  • He is doing a better than most people thought he would.
  • Average points in the past two weeks have dipped quite a bit at 9.8.

    • Receiving Stats

  • Top 15 in receptions and is currently ranked 12th among RB.
  • Top 15 in targets and is currently ranked 13th among RB.
  • Top 15 in reception yards with 333 and 7.74 YPC and is currently ranked 14th among RB.
  • Top 35 in Rec TDs with 1 and is currently ranked 30th among RB.
  • Top 35 in red zone targets and is currently ranked 30th among RB.

    • Rushing Stats

  • Top 20 in rush attempts with 242 (13.44 per game) and is currently ranked 16th among RB.
  • Top 15 in rush yards with 1114 (61.89 per game) and is currently ranked 13th among RB.
  • Top 35 in rush tds with 6 (0.33 per game) and is currently ranked 29th among RB.

    • Bonus Qualities

  • Played in 2 more games this year than last year.
  • At this point in the season his numbers compared to last years: Rush Yards: +70, Rush AVG: -0.2 Rush TDs: +5, Receptions: +4, Rec Yards: +48 Rec TDs: -2,
  • Unfortunately two players have the same exact name and his rating may not be entirely accurate at this point. We are working on fixing situations like this!

    • Season Outlook

  • RUSH ATT: 181, RUSH YDS: 827, RUSH TDS: 6, REC: 34, REC YDS: 246, REC TDS: 1
Next Up ❱ Health Check
Injury Christian McCaffrey

No Injury Reported

Injury Rico Dowdle

No Injury Reported

Next Up ❱ Matchup Comparison
Matchups Christian McCaffrey

Week 1
San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams

PA/G YDS/G TO INT SACK TDs FSP
21.25304.9030205224.48
Compare to same point last season

Overview

  • Experts don"t even rank him among DST's. Either he is on a bye week or is just plain bad. Based on his stats from the past 30 days, he is currently ranked 6th with 145.00 total points (7.25 avg).
  • Currently 82 points behind the leader: Seahawks DST
  • Average points in the past two weeks have dipped quite a bit at 7.3.

Defensive Stats

  • Top 6 in turnovers with 25 (1.47 per game) and is currently ranked 6th among DST.
  • Top 12 in rush defense with 2007 (118.06 per game) and is currently ranked 12th among DST.
  • Ranked 18th in pass defense with 4091 (240.65 per game).
  • Top 10 in sacks with 47 (2.76 per game) and currently ranked 9th among DST.
  • Top 6 in interceptions with 16 (0.94 per game) and currently ranked 6th among DST.
  • Top 10 in points against with 20.35 per game and currently ranked 10th among DST.
  • Currently ranked 19th in Total TDs with 2 (0.12 per game) among DST.

Bonus Qualities

  • At this point in the season his numbers compared to last years: Total Yards Against: -22.99, Turnovers: +11 Sacks: +8, INTs: +9, TDs: -1, Points Allowed: -1.33,
  • Unfortunately two players have the same exact name and his rating may not be entirely accurate at this point. We are working on fixing situations like this!

Season Outlook

  • SACK: 48, INT: 14, TDS: 3, PA/G: 21.6, YDS/G: 348
Matchups Rico Dowdle

Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers VS Atlanta Falcons

PA/G YDS/G TO INT SACK TDs FSP
23.59367.1223165714.12
Compare to same point last season

Overview

  • Experts don"t even rank him among DST's. Either he is on a bye week or is just plain bad. Based on his stats from the past 30 days, he is currently ranked 12th with 119.00 total points (7.00 avg).
  • Currently 108 points behind the leader: Seahawks DST
  • Average points in the past two weeks have dipped quite a bit at 7.

Defensive Stats

  • Top 8 in turnovers with 23 (1.35 per game) and is currently ranked 8th among DST.
  • Ranked 21st in rush defense with 2225 (130.88 per game).
  • Ranked 17th in pass defense with 4016 (236.24 per game).
  • Top 2 in sacks with 57 (3.35 per game) and currently ranked 2nd among DST.
  • Top 8 in interceptions with 16 (0.94 per game) and currently ranked 7th among DST.
  • Top 20 in points against with 23.59 per game and currently ranked 19th among DST.
  • Currently ranked 28th in Total TDs with 1 (0.06 per game) among DST.

Bonus Qualities

  • At this point in the season his numbers compared to last years: Total Yards Against: +6.65, Turnovers: +5 Sacks: +23, INTs: +4, TDs: -3, Points Allowed: -2.47,

Season Outlook

  • SACK: 44, INT: 12, TDS: 2, PA/G: 25.1, YDS/G: 347.1
Next Up ❱ Ratings Comparison
Rating Christian McCaffrey
32.22
FantasySP Player Rating
Rating Rico Dowdle
19.55
FantasySP Player Rating
Next Up ❱ Career Comparison
Career Christian McCaffrey
RUSH RECEIVING
YEAR TEAM GP ATT YD AVG TD TGTS REC YD AVG TD
2017 CAR 16 117 435 3.7 2 113 80 651 8.1 5
2018 CAR 16 219 1098 5.0 7 124 107 867 8.1 6
2019 CAR 16 287 1387 4.8 15 143 116 1005 8.7 4
2020 CAR 3 59 225 3.8 5 19 17 149 8.8 1
2021 CAR 7 99 442 4.5 1 41 37 343 9.3 1
2022 CAR 16 244 1139 4.7 8 107 85 741 8.7 5
2023 SF 16 272 1459 5.4 14 83 67 564 8.4 7
2024 SF 4 50 202 4.0 0 19 15 146 9.7 0
2025 SF 16 335 1291 3.9 11 136 109 977 9.0 7
3-YEAR AVG 14 239 1073 4.5 10 88 70 613 8.8 5
Totals 121 1807 8267 4.6 69 838 675 5761 8.5 40
Career Rico Dowdle
RUSH RECEIVING
YEAR TEAM GP ATT YD AVG TD TGTS REC YD AVG TD
2020 DAL 2 7 24 3.4 0 0 0 0 0
2023 DAL 16 89 361 4.1 2 22 17 144 8.5 2
2024 DAL 16 235 1079 4.6 2 49 39 249 6.4 3
2025 CAR 16 247 1123 4.5 6 56 44 339 7.7 1
3-YEAR AVG 17 189 855 4.5 3 43 34 247 7.3 2
Totals 54 580 2598 4.5 10 130 102 746 7.3 6
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Waiver Help

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Player News

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    Dodgers Prospect Zyhir Hope Hits Fourth Multihomer Game, Reaches 82 RBIs at Double-A

    @MLBPipeline

  • Wilyer Abreu RF • BOS MLB

    Wilyer Abreu Makes MLB History with Consecutive Multi-Homer Clutch Performances

    @OptaSTATS

  • Khristian Curtis SP • PIT MLB

    Pirates Prospect Khristian Curtis Makes Franchise History in MLB Debut

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  • Grayson Rodriguez SP • LAA MLB

    Tigers Shut Out Angels 7–0 as Skubal Dominates and Torkelson Homers

    @RhettBollinger

  • Jalen Slawson PF • IND NBA

    NBA Summer League: Spurs and Pacers Secure Wins in Las Vegas

    @NBA

  • Julio Rodriguez CF • SEA MLB

    Rodriguez has game-winning RBI in return for M's

    Petter Gammons

  • Brandon Aiyuk WR • SF

    Brandon Aiyuk Says 49ers Want Him Back, Takes Jab at Christian McCaffrey

    @grantcohn

  • Khalil Dinkins TE • SF

    49ers Place TE Khalil Dinkins on Active/Non-Football Injury List

    @AroundTheNFL

  • Makai Lemon WR • PHI

    Eagles WR Makai Lemon Eager to Learn from Veteran-Led Offense

    @AroundTheNFL

  • Saquon Barkley RB • PHI

    Saquon Barkley’s Home Invaded; No Injuries Reported

    @ProFootballTalk

  • Saquon Barkley RB • PHI

    Saquon Barkley's home was invaded on Saturday morning

    profootballtalk.com

  • Rashan Gary OLB • DAL

    Rashan Gary Aims to Become a Dominant Force for the Cowboys

    @AroundTheNFL

  • Zyhir Hope OF • LAD

    Dodgers Prospect Zyhir Hope Hits Fourth Multihomer Game, Reaches 82 RBIs at Double-A

    @MLBPipeline

  • Wilyer Abreu RF • BOS

    Wilyer Abreu Makes MLB History with Consecutive Multi-Homer Clutch Performances

    @OptaSTATS

  • Khristian Curtis SP • PIT

    Pirates Prospect Khristian Curtis Makes Franchise History in MLB Debut

    @MLBPipeline

  • Grayson Rodriguez SP • LAA

    Tigers Shut Out Angels 7–0 as Skubal Dominates and Torkelson Homers

    @RhettBollinger

  • Julio Rodriguez CF • SEA

    Rodriguez has game-winning RBI in return for M's

    Petter Gammons

  • Danny Coulombe RP •

    Red Sox Release Danny Coulombe

    MLBTradeRumors

  • Jalen Slawson PF • IND

    NBA Summer League: Spurs and Pacers Secure Wins in Las Vegas

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  • Jalen Brunson PG • NY

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    New York Post

  • Caleb Wilson PF • CHI

    Bulls' Caleb Wilson is a summer winner after dazzling in Vegas

    Chicago Sun-Times

  • Miles Kelly SG •

    Miles Kelly’s Clutch Shooting Puts the Spurs Ahead 81–76 Late

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    Corey Camper Jr. Ties Game at 74 Late in NBA Action

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  • Moussa Cisse C • DAL

    Mavericks Match Knicks’ Two-Year, $4.7M Offer for Moussa Cisse

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    Connor Bedard “C” Jersey Option Removed, Not an Indication of Imminent Blackhawks Captaincy

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    Connor Bedard Shortens Contract Outlook Amid Blackhawks Negotiations and Carlsson Offer-Sheet Impact

    @MarkLazerus

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    Predators Fans Can Win an Autographed Luke Evangelista Portrait by Texting “VANGE”

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  • Connor Bedard C • CHI

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  • Connor Bedard C • CHI

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Matchups

Week 1
ARI @LAC
ATL @PIT
BAL @IND
BUF @HOU
CAR vs CHI
CIN vs TB
CLE @JAC
DAL @NYG
DEN @KC
DET vs NO
GB @MIN
LAR vs SF
LV vs MIA
NE @SEA
NYJ @TEN
PHI vs WAS
Matchup Time Pitchers
ARI vs STL 04:10 EDT EST
ATH vs WAS 04:05 EDT EST
ATL vs TEX 01:35 EDT EST
BAL @HOU 02:10 EDT EST
BOS vs TB 01:35 EDT EST
CHC vs MIN 02:20 EDT EST
CHW @TOR 12:15 EDT EST
CIN @COL 03:10 EDT EST
CLE vs PIT 01:40 EDT EST
DET @LAA 04:07 EDT EST
KC vs SD 02:10 EDT EST
LAD @NYY 07:20 EDT EST
MIA @MIL 02:10 EDT EST
NYM @PHI 01:35 EDT EST
SEA vs SF 04:10 EDT EST
Matchup Time
No games scheduled
Matchup Time
No games scheduled