Analysis

Dowdle emerged as the Cowboys' top running back last season and rushed for a career-high 1,079 yards on 235 carries (4.6 YPC) with two touchdowns while adding 249 yards on 39 catches and three touchdowns. In Carolina, he'll be joining a backfield headlined by Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee), who had his own breakout last season with a career-best 1,195 rushing yards on 250 carries and 10 touchdowns. Dowdle's fantasy stock may take a hit as a result of being part of a timeshare with Hubbard in a best-case scenario, but the signing gives the up-and-coming Panthers a potentially formidable 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Jonathon Brooks, whom the Panthers selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, is expected to miss most of next season while recovering from his second torn ACL.

Analysis

Dowdle is scheduled for free agency at the beginning of the league year, with Dallas being the only team that can attempt to sign him before then. His breakout in 2024 figures to lead to a contract with considerable guarantees this offseason, but it's hard to say if teams will view Dowdle as a viable starter or more of a high-end backup. Having spent most of his pro career at the back of the Cowboys' roster or on their practice squad, Dowdle is unlikely to give a hometown discount, as this may be his only shot at a sizable contract. He'll turn 27 in June.

Analysis

Dowdle's two-yard rushing touchdown with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Cowboys a 19-16 lead, but the Commanders responded with a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. The pending unrestricted free agent bolstered his value with a strong stretch run, as Dowdle compiled 591 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the last six games. Overall, Dowdle recorded 235 carries for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns while catching 39 of 49 targets for 249 yards and three touchdowns in this breakout season. If the Cowboys bring Dowdle back, they will likely look to bolster their backfield further via the draft or free agency.

Analysis

Dowdle was able to bounce back from a difficult night against the Buccaneers' stingy run defense in Week 16, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the fourth time in the last five games. The productive day also pushed Dowdle over the 1,000-yard threshold for the season, a particularly noteworthy accomplishment considering he didn't have a consistent grasp of the lead-back role over the first half of the campaign. Dowdle's fourth-quarter fumble at the Eagles' 10-yard line was costly in terms of both preventing the Cowboys from potentially scoring and because it led to an eventual Philadelphia TD, but the fourth-year pro should have a good chance of finishing the season in productive fashion against the Commanders in Week 18.

Analysis

Dowdle had emerged as an efficient rusher with elevated volume in recent weeks, but he never got going on the ground in Sunday's win. His longest gain as a rusher went for just six yards, while 10 of his attempts went for two yards or fewer. Dowdle managed to redeem himself a bit as a pass catcher by posting his most receiving yards since Week 9. Things won't get easier for him heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Eagles, but he should remain a centerpiece of the Cowboys' offense.

Analysis

Dowdle was coming off a career-best 131 rushing-yard performance, but he outpaced that mark in Sunday's blowout win. He had a solid first half but was relied upon to burn clock in the final two quarters, when he tallied 14 attempts for 91 yards. The only downside to Dowdle's performance was that he couldn't find the end zone, but he's suddenly one of the league's most productive backs, having topped 100 yards on the ground in three straight contests.

Analysis

Dowdle consistently gashed the Bengals' lackluster run defense throughout the night, recording a game-long 27-yard run and finishing with a career-high rushing yardage total in the process. The 26-year-old now has back-to-back 100-yard performances and no fewer than 86 rushing yards in three straight games heading into a highly favorable Week 15 road matchup against the Panthers.

Analysis

Dowdle found plenty of running room with a season-high 22 carries and ripped off long gains of 22, 18, 17 and 13 yards. That led to the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and also marked the first time a Cowboys running back has topped the century mark since Week 3 of the 2023 campaign, per Saad Yousuf of The Athletic. Dowdle added to his impressive performance with a four-yard touchdown scamper late in the fourth quarter to ice the game for the Cowboys.

Analysis

Dowdle operated as the unquestioned lead back, as backfield mate Ezekiel Elliott logged only three carries. The former fittingly parlayed his second-highest carry total of the season into his second-highest rushing yardage tally, and he also extended his streak of multi-catch efforts to six games. Dowdle heads into a favorable Thanksgiving Day home matchup against the Giants with a secure grip on the top job in Dallas' ground attack.