Dowdle's 2024 season was a major success as he ran for over 1,000 yards at 4.6 yards per carry, but the Cowboys didn't re-sign him even though it only took a one-year, $2.75 million contract for the Panthers to pry him away. Dowdle played college football at South Carolina, where persistent nicks and tweaks held him back from reaching his potential from 2016 to 2019. He then spent a few years bouncing between the Cowboys' practice squad and the bottom of their roster, before taking over the No. 2 RB role in 2023 and becoming the starter in 2024. With 4.54 speed at around 215 pounds, Dowdle is about average for an NFL running back in terms of size-adjusted athleticism, and he's proven capable on passing downs (78.9 percent catch rate, five receiving TDs) to boot. If starting running back Chuba Hubbard were to miss any time for the Panthers this year, Dowdle's 2024 performance gives reason to believe he can fill in capably as a three-down starter. The Panthers did draft Trevor Etienne in the fourth round this spring, but he's unlikely to unseat Dowdle as the No. 2 back to start the season.
