The Denver Broncos are coming off a frustrating and disappointing end to the 2025 NFL season. If Bo Nix didn’t get hurt, they likely would’ve made the Super Bowl. Instead, they went home in a crushing 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots.

Now, gearing up for the 2026 NFL season, the Broncos have some work to do in improving the roster. The offense is the big priority, and the running back position is a major need for Denver this offseason.

The Broncos were named by ESPN’s Matt Bowen as the best fit for a free agent running back coming off a 1,076-yard season with the Carolina Panthers. This RB, Rico Dowdle, would be a fantastic replacement for J.K. Dobbins.

Broncos named best fit for Rico Dowdle in free agency

“Dowdle would step in for free agent J.K. Dobbins to pair with RJ Harvey in Denver’s backfield,” Bowen writes. “In this scenario, Dowdle would split touches with Harvery, and his decisive, downhill running style works on the goal line in coach Sean Payton’s offense.”

Adding a running back to pair with Havery is a must for the Broncos this offseason. While the Broncos could re-sign Dobbins, Denver could be looking for a change in the backfield.

This pairing of Harvey and Dowdle would be a nice one. They’re both capable of being a goal line and receiving back, but their biggest strengths – Dowdle as a goal line back and Harvey as a receiving back – complement each other well.

Dowdle is coming off a 1,076 rushing yard season for the Panthers, where he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns on the ground while adding 297 yards in the passing game on 39 receptions.

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He was previously with the Dallas Cowboys to begin his NFL career, and he broke out in 2024 with 1,079 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 235 carries. He also had 249 receiving yards and three TDs on 39 receptions for Dallas in 2024.

While the Broncos could bring back Dobbins, adding Dowdle, the 27-year-old, 215-pound running back, instead would be a very fun pick-up for the offense.

Denver needs to add help offensively, and while a reunion with Dobbins is on the table, signing someone like Dowdle, whose best fit is with the Broncos, as Bowen notes, could be the exact kind of move they’re looking for to return to the AFC title game.

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