The Pittsburgh Steelers running back room will look a lot different this season under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. After Kenneth Gainwell departed for Tampa Bay, general manager Omar Khan signed former Carolina Panthers running back to a two-year, $12.25 million deal.
Now, Dowdle could be set for a stellar year in his new home, and he has the potential to be one of the biggest steals in free agency if he continues to perform the way he has over the last two seasons.
Steelers Running Back Rico Dowdle Could be Free Agency Steal
Dowdle Coming Off of Back-to-Back 1,000-Yard Seasons
The Steelers did not have a 1,000-yard rusher last season after having Najee Harris surpass the tally in four consecutive seasons in Pittsburgh. Dowdle’s numbers over the last two seasons were very strong as he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in each of them. The new Steelers running back went above 1,000 yards despite never surpassing 250 carries with Carolina.
The only reason Dowdle didn’t go beyond 1,000 yards more was that the Panthers insisted on giving carries to Chubba Hubbard. Head coach Dave Canales wanted to utilize a committee in the backfield instead of riding the hot hand. That didn’t stop Dowdle from having three games where he surpassed 100 yards, including two where he was above 175 yards on the ground.
Pittsburgh continues to hold the reputation of being a blue-collar city that loves old-school football. McCarthy isn’t going to change the philosophy now that he is at the helm of his hometown team.
Dowdle Gets it Done in the Passing Game
If Pittsburgh brings back Aaron Rodgers, expect to see a continuation of check downs to the running backs and swing passes out of the backfield. Those two elements were key parts of the offense, and Steelers running backs know they need to be able to catch the football.
Dowdle is certainly capable of doing that, as he averaged over six yards per reception and 39 catches per season over the last two years in Dallas and Carolina. He may not line up out wide like Gainwell did at times for the Steelers, but Dowdle can certainly make plays with his hands just as well as he can make plays with his legs. As long as the trend doesn’t continue of throwing two yards downfield on 3rd and 8 to Steelers running backs, expect Dowdle to be able to pick up a considerable amount of first downs in the air.
Dowdle Has the Mike McCarthy Connection.
Some Steelers fans may not want to hear this, but the roster currently lacks a true star running back and hasn’t had one since Le’Veon Bell. That’s not to say Jaylen Warren isn’t good, but he isn’t in the same tier as Breece Hall or Christian McCaffrey. This is where the previous connection of McCarthy and Dowdle really helps the veteran running back, as the two were together for McCarthy’s entire tenure leading the Cowboys.
The opportunity is certainly there for Dowdle to step into the lead role, since McCarthy’s teams have always relied on one main running back. While it could change from one game to the next, McCarthy isn’t going to change things just for the sake of change.
Dowdle has all of the characteristics to be a late bloomer and really take on the starting running back role. He hasn’t had a chance to do that for much of his career, but the opportunity is there now. The new Steelers running back should be looking to pounce on every opportunity he gets to solidify himself in the backfield, and he’ll have every chance to earn the majority of the carries.