3 Cowboys on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
By Tyler Maher
2. Rico Dowdle
With Tony Pollard locked in at RB1 and Deuce Vaughn making a strong push for RB2, that leaves Dowdle and Malik Davis to battle it out for the RB3 spot.
Fortunately for Dowdle, he seems to be in the lead there, While he didn't do much as a rookie last year (7 carries for 24 yards), he's shown signs of taking a step forward in his sophomore campaign. After playing well against the Jags, he really broke out against the Seahawks, racking up 38 yards on 8 carries on the ground and adding a touchdown through the air.
Rico Dowdle doing what he does best. Great footwork in the backfield, great vision, and great burst. There weren't a lot of running lanes in this one, but Rico made the most out of what he got. pic.twitter.com/MTGqP84HDC
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) August 20, 2023
If Dowdle can contribute as both a runner and a pass-catcher, that makes this decision a no-brainer. He'll be easier to work into the offense and will be more effective as a backup if either Pollard or Vaughn go down.
Dowdle didn't get much of an opportunity last year. Not only did he spend time on the IR, but Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott also dominated the backfield, leaving limited touches for anyone else. With Zeke gone, that won't be the case again this year, giving Dowdle a chance to make his mark and potentially flourish.