Panthers Free Agent Earns Surprising Spot on PFF Rankings

Impending free agent Rico Dowdle had a phenomenal season during his first year in Carolina. Originally signing a modest one-year deal to be Chuba Hubbard’s backup, the longtime Cowboy quickly earned the starting job and never looked back. Appearing in all 17 games, the veteran finished the season with 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 attempts while adding another 39 receptions for 297 yards and a score.

This season proved his breakout 2024 wasn’t a fluke, and Rico Dowdle should receive a decent amount of interest as a free agent. However, the folks at Pro Football Focus believe he’s one of the best players set to reach in the open market. In a recent article, they ranked him as the 16th-best free agent in football, just ahead of guys like Isaac Seumalo, Malik Willis, and Bryan Cook.

Rico Dowdle Earns High Free Agent Ranking on PFF List

Rico Dowdle is a good player, but Pro Football Focus appears to be higher on the free agent than the consensus. Just looking at the running back position, Dowdle’s rank is behind only Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall, and Travis Etienne (15th) and ahead of guys like Javonte Williams. Seeing as Williams just signed a massive three-year, $24 million deal, this suggests Dowdle should be able to eclipse this contract on the open market.

If that’s the case, Rico Dowdle may have played his last snap with the Panthers. Chuba Hubbard is still on the roster and carries a $7.5 million cap hit, and it’s hard to envision Carolina handing out that type of money to another running back. Assuming PFF’s projections are correct, Dowdle will likely sign with a new team while Hubbard and a cheaper free agent lead the backfield in 2026. With any luck, former second-round pick Jonathon Brooks will return to health and play up to his pre-injury form, but that’s anything but a given.