2026 Fantasy Football Breaking News: Rico Dowdle Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Welcome to our coverage at Fantasy In Frames regarding recent 2026 Fantasy Football Breaking News: Rico Dowdle Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers!
Rico Dowdle has cashed in on a big opportunity like he said he would, as the player has signed a two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At first glance, this may not seem like a very good fit/situation for Dowdle. After mulling it over, though, I like it quite a bit personally.
Bryce Young finds Rico Dowdle for a 36-yard TD!
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025
DALvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/2wqxlSKz7a
I know Jaylen Warren is currently in Pittsburgh, but let’s be honest: what has he actually shown in his career up to this point? I feel like fantasy managers have been trying to make Warren into something he’s not for three years now, when in reality, he’s just a small, change-of-pace type back. Also, Kaleb Johnson couldn’t be more irrelevant at the moment. After losing Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, the Steelers needed a throwback, ground-and-pound style workhorse back, and Dowdle is poised to be that for the franchise in 2026.
When given the opportunity in the past, Rico Dowdle has FLOURISHED. As Dallas’ lead back in 2024, Dowdle totaled 1,000 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs, and averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game in Half PPR scoring. Moreover, the player followed that up with another 1,000-yard season in 2025 with the Carolina Panthers, while also seeing 66.7% of the team’s inside-the-5-yard-line carries. He IS a bellcow back in this league.
If you are someone who likes to wait on RB in drafts on a yearly basis, Rico Dowdle is a PRIME target for you in the middle rounds. The player has the archetype of a workhorse back; we’ve seen it in the past, and the player has proven success with Mike McCarthy. I am going to be well above consensus on Dowdle heading into this year’s drafts.