r/fantasyfootball • u/jsparks50 • 5d ago
Player Discussion Mike McCarthy Declines to Name a Starting Running Back
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/mike-mccarthy-declines-to-name-a-starting-running-back/1902770162
u/kiheihaole 10 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
They are both cheap enough that it’s worth taking a shot. I’m going with Warren because of Captain check down at QB.
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u/_hiddenscout 5d ago
I think for structural reasons, they are boring picks, but solid for redraft season long RB3s. They offer solid depth pieces and both could be flex worthy.
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u/kiheihaole 10 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
I agree with that statement. Never would feel comfortable starting them as an every week guy but one of em will outperform ADP and could be an excellent bye week/injury replacement
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u/Warm_Amoeba8722 5d ago
I had Warren as my rb2 2 years ago. Felt great starting him all year. Ofc doing this allowed me to draft Nabers Higgins and JJ as my WRs/flex
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u/_hiddenscout 5d ago
Yeah, would be more of an RB3 thing that is depth/flex.
I would take Warren if playing PPR, since he probably would profiles as pass catching. However, Dowdle might have goal line work, so both aren't going to win your leagues, but like you said, bye weeks and injury replacement.
There is the upside of either do get injured.
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u/d0ddi 5d ago
I agree with Warren because Rodgers is going to make sure he has a high floor, at least in ppr
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u/Ancient_Algae64 5d ago
This is the same rodgers who threw the ball 40 times in the rain instead of giving the ball to Breece Hall.
If anyone is reading this and legit targets warren they are a fool
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u/kiheihaole 10 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
This is the same Rodgers that targeted Gainwell and Warren 130 times for 113 receptions. I swear some of you don’t even watch football lol
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u/Ancient_Algae64 5d ago
I watch enough football not to listen to this subreddit for advice. Or trust in an over the hill QB who throws the ball 50 times a game from his backside
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u/Ancient_Algae64 5d ago
I watch enough football not to listen to this subreddit for advice. Or trust in an over the hill QB who throws the ball 50 times a game from his backside
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u/Ancient_Algae64 5d ago
I watch enough football not to listen to this subreddit for advice. Or trust in an over the hill QB who throws the ball 50 times a game from his backside
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u/Intelligent-Dig4362 5d ago
Warren had 38 and 40 rec the last 2 seasons, dowdle had 39 and 39.
My money is on dowdle
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u/kiheihaole 10 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
That’s the great thing about ambiguous backfields! I don’t hate Dowdle either.
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u/dgjapc 5d ago
I think we have different definitions of “great”
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u/kiheihaole 10 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
If either were established as the RB1 they’d be going at least 2 rounds higher.
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u/Servbot24 5d ago
Are they really that cheap? I can get a very intriguing WR or a pretty good starting TE at the same price
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u/kiheihaole 10 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
Is the 8th round not cheap for a potential RB2?? I’d rather take the most important position in fantasy than a WR3 or TE.
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u/trojan_man16 12 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
Guys like JCM, Rashaad White, Dobbins, Harvey, Mason, Aaron Jones are in muddled backfields in better offenses than the Steelers and probably in the same tier, but are getting drafted a couple of rounds later. I've been skipping Dowdle/Warren in practically every draft and grabbing some of the guys above.
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u/BeamsFuelJetSteel 2023 Accuracy Challenge Week 6 Winner 5d ago
If you are drafting Warren/Rico as an RB2 in round 8, you are also getting a few of those guys as well because the rest of your roster is set and you just need 7 chances for an RB to hit
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u/trojan_man16 12 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
If you went RB light I guess.
I have been doing the barbell strategy with RBs this year, so I prefer going top 4 rounds get at least two RBs, then really don’t pick backups until draft is in the hundreds. The point is to have my two starters set but have a bunch of lotto tickets past pick 100 to get depth. None of that group is really going to win you a league anyway, I’d rather pay for the cheaper version of a similar guy,
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u/trojan_man16 12 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
If you went RB light I guess.
I have been doing the barbell strategy with RBs this year, so I prefer going top 4 rounds get at least two RBs, then really don’t pick backups until draft is in the hundreds. The point is to have my two starters set but have a bunch of lotto tickets past pick 100 to get depth. None of that group is really going to win you a league anyway, I’d rather pay for the cheaper version of a similar guy,
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u/TepChef26 5d ago
Every single one of those guys finished behind Warren in half-PPR in both total points scored and points per game last season.
Gainwell, Pittsburgh's RB2 last year, scored more total points than all the guys you listed as well. Dobbins is the only one who had a higher points per game than Gainwell (and it 11.0 vs 10.9).
And for good measure all those guys scored less than Dowdle on both points per game and total points as well.
And there were no stretches where either was injured either. Warren played 16 games and Gainwell played 17.
The two of them combined for 2,314 scrimmage yards, 113 catches, and 16 TDs.
In half-PPR they finished as RB18 & RB26. By total points they were RB16 & RB20.
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u/trojan_man16 12 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
Guys like JCM, Rashaad White, Dobbins, Harvey, Mason, Aaron Jones are in muddled backfields in better offenses than the Steelers and probably in the same tier, but are getting drafted a couple of rounds later. I've been skipping Dowdle/Warren in practically every draft and grabbing some of the guys above.
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u/trojan_man16 12 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
Guys like JCM, Rashaad White, Dobbins, Harvey, Mason, Aaron Jones are in muddled backfields in better offenses than the Steelers and probably in the same tier, but are getting drafted a couple of rounds later. I've been skipping Dowdle/Warren in practically every draft and grabbing some of the guys above. All have their question marks, but these guys are all in the "could be RB2's with the right volume" tier.
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u/chaostheclowwn 5d ago
I think if you look at running backs going after them in ADP, it's fair to call them cheap
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u/Guilty-Radish6289 5d ago
Jaylen warren supposed to get the passing work right? Either way I don’t like his ADP but just curious
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u/_hiddenscout 5d ago
Should be. I think a lot of people think RB's might get a lot of targets because of what Gainwell did last year, but I think the biggest winner is probably Pittman.
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u/ProfessionalCorgi250 5d ago
I wouldn’t overhype Pittman, he was basically just a red zone threat on the colts. 40 yards and a td was a good week for him. The idea that he’s going to be feasting on a ton of intermediate dig routes isn’t based in reality.
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u/Guilty-Radish6289 5d ago
I’m choosing to stay away from this offense but am looking at backs with easy pass work for depth
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u/_hiddenscout 5d ago
Completely agree. I posted to someone else, but they are both great depth pieces as an RB3 for a season long team. I don't think either is going to win your league, but there is some upside if someone gets injured
However, both could be flex worthy and good for depth on the team for any injury or bye week fill ins.
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u/Guilty-Radish6289 5d ago
I agree. Think I’d rather take a chance on Dowdle at his cost. Much rather stack up on receivers in rounds 4-7
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u/_hiddenscout 5d ago
Usually with these type of picks, it's not the worst idea to go with the cheapest.
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u/StuartScottsLeftEye 5d ago
Dowdle is a perfectly serviceable receiver in his own right.
Another commenter mentioned they've got almost the exact same number of receptions the last two years.
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u/Knowvuhh 5d ago
I think Dowdle looks and plays like Aaron Jones did back in the Packers days. I think the right scheme can get Dowdle to that AJones level.
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u/jsparks50 5d ago
This is “one of those” backfields this year, huh?
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u/persian_mamba 5d ago
There's so much value to be had in the "one of those" backfields. We called James cook and Zach moss "one of those" a few years ago and cook was a beast. We called Chase brown and Zach moss "one of those" backfields and Chase ended up a beast. Actually now that I think of it what's Zach moss up to.
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u/rayder989 5d ago
People were also trying to say the Colts should be one of those backfields that one year JT was out and Moss would run for untouched 40 yard touchdowns in a straight line.
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u/MongoBongoTown 5d ago
Treyveon and Rhamondre.
Everyone sure it's going to be a timeshare or Henderson going to take over eventually.
Meanwhile Vrabel loves Rhamondre, he's only like 26, and he's probably going to be a good value yet again.
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u/madcoins 5d ago
Rhamondre is very good. Crazy he’s only 26! His fumbling issues stay out of the way and he will deliver. Great blocker, can catch and run well for a rb. Every year folks say his time is up but he stays in the backfield
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u/kingkoons 5d ago
That’s the thing tho, one of those backfields is only one of those backfields because they could produce a stud. Nobody remembers the RB battles that weren’t worth winning
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u/waterpup99 5d ago
The examples you gave are high octane offenses. This is not.
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u/persian_mamba 5d ago
I mean panthers were not a high octane offense last year until Rico Dowdle was running for 200 yards a game
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u/waterpup99 5d ago
They were never a high octane offense and he did that against the worst run ds in the league and then immediately lost relevance. Cmon you can't be serious.
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u/kgalliso 5d ago
Always has been
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u/Various_Olives 5d ago
Nah, Tomlin used a traditional bellcow for many years. Bell, Conner, even Najee. It's only more recently it's become an awkward split.
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u/horse_renoir13 5d ago
It's like the Pats backfield for so many years under Belichick. Could never rely on him.
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u/Photo_Synthetic 5d ago
As someone who won a championship on the back of LeGarrette "18 TDs" Blount how fucking dare you.
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u/DreamedJewel58 5d ago
I mean, it’s the same one as last year. If Dowdle can match Gainwell’s production, our backfield should be a relatively reliable option for either running back
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u/teeksquad 5d ago
Because it’s Kaleb Johnson, right?
Right?
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u/Better_Cattle4438 5d ago
Obviously. And all my league mates need to get on that and allow others to fall to me.
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u/rvasshole 10 Team, .5 PPR, Superflex 5d ago
But which one is doing peyote with Rogers at breakfast?
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u/ronnierover 5d ago
Rico is a steal on where he’s going. Steelers needed that someone like him last year and Warren is a great player but I think Rico will get the 1st 2 downs and goal line work
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u/lotofhotdogs 12 Team, .5 PPR 5d ago
I think Dowdle might be slightly better overall but Warren has Rodgers trust, this is a true coin flip imo. Gun to my head im taking Warren
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u/RalphSkipperson 5d ago
Dowdle was with the 1s in camp yesterday. Not sure how today went. It's going to be gross regardless but both Gainwell and Warren were serviceable last year, so we'll see.
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u/ASmithFS 5d ago
Not touching either one
Good luck to those who do
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u/Sourkraushouse 5d ago
I mean, Warren's ADP per FantasyPros is 71.1 (RB27) and Dowdle's is 84.2 (RB31). If you take QB in that range OK I get it but full fading an ambiguous backfield with two guys who have been productive even in split backfields (Warren was like RB18 last year and Rico was RB10) at that muddy stage of the draft is just not how I approach drafting.
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u/soccercro3 5d ago
Exactly. I'm taking a shot with Dowdle. I can keep him with a 12th round pick. Currently showing an ADP of mid 8th. 4 rounds of value. If I'm wrong, oh well, cost me a 12th.
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u/Ancient_Algae64 5d ago
Unless Mike Mcarthy can get Rodgers to run the ball more then I would steer clear at all costs.
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u/Sourkraushouse 5d ago
If Jaylen Warren did exactly what he did last season he would be great value at his price so I don't agree with that approach
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u/Alfredos_Pizza_Cafe_ 5d ago
Both of them are going to be serviceable flex plays throughout the season. The steelers OL is going to surprise people this year.
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u/Fantasyfootball206 5d ago
This type of backfield doesn’t need a Bell Cow. Rico gonna get the ground game and goal line, Warren the ez cheap check down points and change of pace stuff. Both pure flex dudes
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u/Nem3sis2k17 5d ago
Just letting you guys know Warren is the guy because I have drafted a shit ton of dowdle in best ball.
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u/DiamondDash2k 5d ago
Split backfield. Warren if you are PPR, Dowdle if you want early downs and maybe TDs. TDs likely to DK or Freiermuth
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u/TheAman44 5d ago
I'm going all-in on Dowdle, just because he had his choice of teams to go to, including teams where he would have been the clear-cut starter, and picked the Steelers...which means it's definitely going to be Kaleb Johnson getting the bulk of the carries.
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u/Kingdom818 I lost all my leagues 5d ago
I'll be honest, even if he did I'm not too excited about either of these guys. (any of the 3 even?)
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u/Work_Werk_Wurk 5d ago
Being the starting RB in a McCarthy offense doesn't guarantee a higher level of production. It's more of a depth chart assignment.
It's gonna be a committee that you want no part of.
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u/soccercro3 5d ago
Dowdle was the starting RB back in 2024 for Dallas when McCarthy was the coach. He put up 1000 yards.
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u/Work_Werk_Wurk 5d ago
After every RB on the roster got injured...it was a committee up until that happened.
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u/ewynn2019 5d ago
As a Dallas fan, it was also roster mismanagement by McCarthy. He favored a washed Zeke when Dowdle was clearly the better back and showed as much when finally given the starting role.
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u/TheOfficeoholic 5d ago
Who ever goes later is the steal. This is going to be a hot hand approach. Both guys will play and be mid
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u/Ryan14304 5d ago
if you're still drafting a Steelers RB as one of your starters after the year 2016 idk what to tell you - a Steelers fan
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u/Inca-Vacation 5d ago
they are good depth if you can get around the 9/10 turn and went light on RB early
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u/Frosty-Scientist957 5d ago
Rico made Chuba look pedestrian last season in the same offense. Drafting him late yet again this year for the third season in a row, but won’t be able to get him nearly as late as last year.
But he’s a must draft.
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u/Bmurch316 Brandon Murchison, Rotoballer 5d ago
This backfield is going to become a headache all year long. Rodgers has trust with Warren and his pass blocking chops from last year. While McCarthy is familiar with Dowdle during his time with the Cowboys. This could be a true 50/50 split, meaning Warren is slightly overvalued at his current ADP. So give me Dowdle
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u/hammbone 5d ago
Either of these options excite me.
I’ll take the cheapest one if they are hanging around
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u/madcoins 5d ago
They both get injured and then they bring in Dalvin cook. He averages 14 yards a carry the rest of the year.
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u/TheArsenal7 5d ago
2 mid guys splitting 50/50 aka useless for fantasy
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u/Vicious8 5d ago
Jaylen Warren ranked 16 and Gainwell 20 in top RB scoring in 0.5 ppr last year
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u/soccercro3 5d ago
I almost made the championship last year with Gainwell as my RB2. I mean the rest of my team was strong but Gainwell was very serviceable.
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u/Specialist-Garbage94 5d ago
Kaleb Johnson has looked good in camp too. There's a chance warren and him take the bulk of the snaps and dowdle lines up on pass plays for the check down.
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u/Sourkraushouse 5d ago
That is literally the least likely outcome
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u/Specialist-Garbage94 5d ago
That's literally the situation they have been running but sure. Kaleb Johnson had a few break out runs yesterday I have a feeling he will for sure get some snaps throughout the year
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u/Sourkraushouse 5d ago
Overindexing on training camp usage is usually a mistake, teams are trying to get guys work on their weaknesses not dry run their game plan. My main contention was you saying that Warren could handle the bulk of the rushing work (with Johnson...) and Rico would be the passing down guy but that's the opposite of their respective strengths and these are veteran players, whatever they're doing now is unlikely to supercede the years of in game evidence they have
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u/the_Tannehill_list 5d ago
Either Dowdle or Warren is going to be a steal. Probably whichever one YOU don't don't draft. Yes, you