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    Steelers offensive identity to remain run-heavy

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    PIT Running Back #13
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    ESPN’s Benjamin Solak believes the Steelers offensive identity will remain similar to 2025: “running the ball out of heavy sets.”

    There’s been a strain of thought that Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers would go back to slinging it like it is 2016 again, but Solak left Steelers training camp believing things would mostly stay as they were last year. That’s good news for Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, though neither of them profile as an easy-to-trust option while they split time.
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Andrew Perloff reveals his NFL preseason “superlofftives” for hype around various teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.

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  • PIT Running Back #30
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    Warren played 3-of-3 snaps on the first drive. Steelers RB Rico Dowdle played 4-of-4 snaps on the second. The two backs then rotated on the third. Dowdle rushed five times for 18 yards, adding one reception for two yards. This is about what we expected, though a recent report did indicate that Dowdle would be the Steelers’ “workhorse.” For now, treat both players as reliable FLEX starters with RB2 upside in what should be a split backfield, at least early on.
  • PIT Running Back #13
    Recent reporting from ESPN suggests the Steelers will employ a run-heavy approach this season. Vacchiano agrees and adds that Steelers coach Mike McCarthy believes Dowdle could help the team produce a strong running game this season. That said, Vacchiano also said that Dowdle and RB Jaylen Warren could form “a potent tandem,” so Vacchiano may only be indicating that Dowdle will be the team’s primary rusher while Warren changes the pace and plays on passing downs. Both players sit in the fringe RB2/FLEX barrel right now.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    Rico Dowdle is listed as the RB2. We wouldn’t read into this too much, but it does align with the approach fantasy managers have been taking to this backfield. Warren currently comes off the board at RB27 while Dowdle sits at RB32. With a larger role through the air also in his future, Warren continues to looks like a safe bet for FLEX-worthy fantasy numbers in 2026.
  • PIT Running Back
    DeFabo wonders whether Steelers coach Mike McCarthy will be “willing to open up the playbook for Heidenreich and how does the rookie fare in pass protection?” If McCarthy is willing to design plays for Heidenreich, and the youngster can be trusted to keep QB Aaron Rodgers safe from oncoming pass rushers, it is possible he earns a spot on the game-day roster. If not, he may need to spend 2026 refining his skill set while RB Jaylen Warren works on becoming Rodgers’ “new check-down favorite.” That said, DeFabo adds that “an injury or a surprising training camp performance could change things positively for Heidenreich. Keep an eye on him, but temper expectations.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    The Steelers on Monday signed Rico Dowdle, formerly of the Panthers, to a two-year deal worth $12.25 million, as Gainwell left Pittsburgh in favor of Tampa. DeFabo said the new-look Pittsburgh offense could see Warren occupy last year’s Gainwell role (Gainwell was among the league leaders in running back targets and receptions). Warren, DeFabo said, “has been at his best in a third-down role and out of the shotgun; Warren is now likely to assume the pass-catching role that Gainwell occupied last year. Given the increased opportunities in this area, Warren may produce results similar to those of Gainwell, though he’s not as refined as a route runner.” Such a scenario would make Warren far more valuable than Dowdle in PPR formats this season, though Dowdle could be a flex option if he gets first crack at goal line carries and functions as the team’s primary ball carrier.
  • CAR Running Back #5
    Dowdle will presumably form a one-two punch with incumbent starter Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh after notching consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the Cowboys and Panthers. It also signals a level of discomfort with former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, who played sparingly during his rookie season following multiple special teams miscues. The financials of the contract were not immediately made available. Although unlikely to match the 235 carries he averaged the previous two seasons, Dowdle’s size and frame keep his touchdown equity high on the run-first Steelers.
  • CAR Running Back #5
    Vaguer than we’d prefer from Fowler, but given the fact the Commanders have nothing ahead of “Bill” Croskey-Merritt on the depth chart, bringing in a head of a committee makes plenty of sense. Dowdle appears to be behind Travis Etienne Jr. and Kenneth Walker on the free agency market, but should still do well for himself after a strong few months with the Panthers.
  • SEA Running Back #9
    In other words, RJ Harvey-reliant managers, keep your head on a swivel. Kosmider names Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, and Rico Dowdle as three backs the Broncos could have interest in. He adds that it’s “within the realm of possibility” that J.K. Dobbins returns, and also notes that the Broncos could search for young depth on Day 3 of the draft. It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for RJ Harvey, fantasy superstar. Harvey could very well wind up in a committee again in 2026. The Broncos have enough cap space to be in play for the bigger name backs.
  • MIA Running Back #28
    Achane is mentioned as part of a major section of Alexander’s combine takeaways titled “A push for a running back,” starring Kenneth Walker and also featuring Travis Etienne and Rico Dowdle. But towards the very end, it notes that the Texans did trade for a back after missing out on the free-agent market for Saquon Barkley when they snagged Joe Mixon. We doubt that the Dolphins would part with Achane for something negligible — they’d likely require real draft compensation — but the situation certainly looks to be focused on the long-term there and Achane is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
  • CAR Running Back #5
    Dowdle was notably down on how little he was used in the regular season finale and in the playoffs, where he rushed a combined 12 times for 19 yards, and said that would be a “factor” in his free agency. Dowdle’s fantasy stock could take a big upturn if he wound up being the obvious lead back on a new team this offseason. The Chiefs, Saints and Texans come to mind as (our speculation) possibilities. Chuba Hubbard’s stock would similarly rebound if Dowdle took off to greener pastures.

Rotoworld

  • NYG Outside Linebacker #39
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    Giants signed EDGE Malik Harrison, formerly of the Steelers, to the practice squad.

    According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Harrison agreed to the deal “with the goal to contribute early.” The pass rusher totaled 28 tackles and seven quarterback pressures last year with the Steelers.
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    ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports that Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) “is not present for the media-access portion of practice.”

    Reiss also notes that the Patriots have three pre-Week 1 practices remaining, and Henderson has not practiced since August 24th, when he sustained the injury. One week ago, a Boston Globe report indicated Henderson should be “good to go” for Week 1 against the Seahawks. He still has time to get right, but veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson can be treated as the team’s clear-cut lead back for the time being.
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    The Athletic’s Matt Barrows said he is “sure” 49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) “won’t be on the field for his usual 95 percent of the offensive snaps” in Week 1 against the Rams.

    While Barrows’ statement is agreeable, it leaves a lot of room for interpretation. The 32-year-old tight end is returning from an Achilles tendon rupture and was a close call to even make the trip to Australia, so a snap count of sorts makes sense. For fantasy managers who can afford to take a wait-and-see approach, it might be worthwhile. He has reportedly had a great recovery and his resumé is as good as it gets at the tight end position. He will likely be ranked as a low-end TE1 by default in Week 1 against the Rams.
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    The Athletic’s Matt Barrows believes “the plan” is for WR De’Zhaun Stribling to be the primary slot receiver and WR Mike Evans’ “understudy” at X-receiver.

    In his projected depth chart, Barrows lists Stribling as both the starting slot receiver and the No. 2 X-receiver. He does not place Stribling on the Z-receiver depth chart, which could mean the rookie wide receiver has not yet earned a role in two-wide receiver sets. Veteran WR Deebo Samuel is the starting Z-receiver, though Barrows already reported that Samuel will take only “a portion” of the overall Z-receiver snaps. It would be surprising to see Nos. 2-3 Z-receivers, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing, play ahead of Stribling when Samuel needs a breather, but the season is long and Stribling can always change Barrows’ mind. Early in the year, Stribling is likely best treated as a WR4/FLEX candidate. Were Evans to miss time, Stribling would seemingly slide into a full-time starting role.
  • BAL Defensive Lineman #92
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    Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) resumed participating in team drills on Thursday.

    Ravens coach Jesse Minter labeled Madubuike as “day-to-day” heading into Week 1. This does not necessarily mean Madubuike will take the field against the Colts next week, but it is a step in the right direction. Madubuike racked up 10 quarterback pressures, two sacks and three tackles in just two games played last year. Getting him back, even in a limited capacity, is a big deal.
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    Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said there is “nothing new to report” regarding CB Christian Gonzalez’s contract negotiations.

    Vrabel’s comments concisely sum things up. Gonzalez, 24, is eligible for a contract extension but remains under contract through 2027 via his fifth-year option. The Patriots’ head coach notes that Gonzalez continues to grow as a player and remains competitive in practice.
  • ARI Wide Receiver #14
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    Cardinals signed Michael Wilson to a three-year, $75 million extension through 2029.

    Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes $47 million in guarantees, with a max value of $78 million. Wilson was set to enter a contract season in a week. Instead, he’ll be under contract with Arizona through the 2029 season. He broke out in the second half of the 2025 season and finished the year with his first 1,000-yard campaign. He compiled 775 of those yards in the final eight games of the year. Even if he can’t replicate those numbers over 17 weeks, Wilson took a massive step forward, and receivers aren’t cheap on the open market. It makes sense for Arizona to lock him up long-term instead of letting him test the waters of free agency next offseason.
  • BAL Wide Receiver #4
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    Zay Flowers returned to practice Thursday.

    Flowers suffered a quad bruise early in training camp but eventually returned to practice. He has been out of practice more recently with an undisclosed lower-body issue. His injuries have seemed relatively minor, and an appearance at practice today all but confirms that. Barring a setback, Flowers should be good to go as a high-end WR2 for Baltimore’s Week 1 opener versus the Colts.
  • NYG Running Back #44
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    Cam Skattebo said he considered retiring after suffering his season-ending ankle injury.

    Speaking on Up and Adams, Skattebo said he told himself in college that he would retire if he suffered a major injury. It’s a surprising comment on its face, but football fans shouldn’t be shocked that a young player questioned his choice of profession after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in his first season. Skattebo ultimately attacked rehab and returned faster than most people expected. He was a full-go early in the offseason and is now ready for Week 1.
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    Colts coach Shane Steichen said Anthony Richardson will serve as the team’s backup quarterback.

    Richardson spent training camp and the preseason battling it out with Riley Leonard for the backup gig. Given the arc of Richardson’s career, earning the backup gig is undoubtedly a win for the young passer. Richardson isn’t on the redraft fantasy radar, but dynasty managers can leave the light on for him.