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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Jonnu Smith vs Rico DowdleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Rico Dowdle over Jonnu Smith in 2026.

Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG in 2025 to Jonnu Smith's 8.2, a 3.4 point per game edge. They play different positions, so weigh the per-game edge against what your roster needs at RB and TE.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Rico Dowdle (11.6 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Jonnu Smith (8.2 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

RBCarolina Panthers#21PPG LEADER

Rico Dowdle

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,076

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

297

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Jonnu Smith

Rico Dowdle

Head to Head

8.2 PPG11.6 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jonnu Smith: Unranked TE. Rico Dowdle: Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #21 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. An Unranked TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) RB in most league formats.

Jonnu Smith vs Rico Dowdle: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Jonnu Smith (TE, Miami Dolphins) against Rico Dowdle (RB, Carolina Panthers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Rico Dowdle posted 11.6 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Jonnu Smith has his bye in Week 6, Rico Dowdle in Week 5. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Rico Dowdle is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jonnu Smith is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Rico Dowdle (age 28, 5 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Rico Dowdle outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 58 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rico Dowdle played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jonnu Smith's 15. That durability gap means Rico Dowdle contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rico Dowdle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonnu Smith saw 68 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonnu Smith vs Rico Dowdle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonnu Smith	Rico Dowdle
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.2	11.6
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	197
Rushing Yards	0	1,076
Rush Yds/Game	0.0	63.3
Rushing TDs	0	6
Receptions	52	39
Receiving Yards	562	297
Targets	68	50
Total TDs	4	7
Age	-	28
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 5

Summary

11.6 PPG for Rico Dowdle versus 8.2 for Jonnu Smith in 2025. The baseline favors Rico Dowdle, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonnu Smith or Rico Dowdle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rico Dowdle has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Jonnu Smith and Rico Dowdle average in 2025?▾

Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rico Dowdle averaged 11.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.4 points per game.

When are Jonnu Smith and Rico Dowdle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Rico Dowdle (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.