Little known Rico Dowdle could surprise many Browns fans in Week 1
When the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys square off in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season everyone expects a show. The Browns had the best defense in the regular season last year but the Cowboys have the connection between QB Dak Prescott and WR Ceedee Lamb.
Cleveland hopes that the returning Deshaun Watson can take advantage of multiple injuries on Dallas’ defense and his strong supporting cast.
While the Browns are favorites in Week 1, they also face a few important injury concerns while the Cowboys started the week healthy.
The offense in Dallas has seen some huge changes in the backfield over the last couple of seasons. First, the Cowboys moved on from Ezekiel Elliott in favor of Tony Pollard. Elliott was brought back but Pollard departed in free agency this offseason. Dallas added veteran Dalvin Cook after training camp but little-known Rico Dowdle might actually carry the unit in 2024:
In a room that includes Elliott and Dalvin Cook, Dowdle should be the favorite to lead the Cowboys in rushing attempts and rushing yards this season.
Dwodle was undrafted in 2020 after four years with the South Carolina Gamecocks. His best season came as a freshman when he had 764 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He added more pass receptions as his college career went on but topped out at 22 catches for 167 yards.
The 26-year-old Dwodle has played in 36 games for the Cowboys. He missed all of 2021 with a hip injury and 12 games in 2022 with one to his ankle. Before last year, Dwodle had only seven rushing attempts but got 89 in 2023 for 361 yards and two touchdowns.
This preseason, Dwodle was only on the field for the first week of preseason. He had three carries for 14 yards.
With Cleveland’s stout defense and playing on the road, it would be a surprise if Dwodle burst on the scene in Week 1 but he’s a name Browns fans might want to know.
