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DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 06: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts from the ground against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter in the game at Empower Field At Mile High on November 06, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos have officially been floated as the “best fit” for one of the more productive running backs set to hit free agency.
In ESPN’s recent breakdown of the top 50 free agents and their ideal landing spots, analyst Matt Bowen projected Rico Dowdle to Denver.
Bowen wrote:
“Dowdle would step in for free agent J.K. Dobbins to pair with RJ Harvey in Denver’s backfield. In this scenario, Dowdle would split touches with Harvey, and his decisive, downhill running style works on the goal line in coach Sean Payton’s offense.”
The projection is straightforward.
If Dobbins departs in free agency, Dowdle becomes the early-down complement to Harvey in Sean Payton’s offense.
It would be a the perfect pairing built on complimentary balance.
#Broncos named best fit for RB Rico Dowdle in free agency, per @espn
“In this scenario, Dowdle would split touches with Harvey, and his decisive, downhill running style works on the goal line in coach Sean Payton’s offense.”
Why the Broncos Keep Coming Back to Rico Dowdle
Dowdle is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season and has quietly ranked among the league’s more efficient backs.
Over the past two seasons, he has forced 79 missed tackles and averaged 3.21 yards after contact per attempt.
The projection suggests Denver would be prioritizing reliability and physicality behind a strong offensive line.
His name is not new in Broncos circles.
Denver explored signing Dowdle during last year’s free agency cycle before he ultimately landed in Carolina.
That history reinforces Bowen’s idea of sustained interest.
The 27-year-old rushed for 1,079 yards in 2025 while adding 249 receiving yards.
He posted three games with more than 130 rushing yards, including a 206 yard performance against the Dolphins and a 183 yard outing against the Cowboys.
If Dowdle were to sign with the Broncos, he would likely step into the role Dobbins held during the first 10 weeks of last season.
Unlike Dobbins, Dowdle has been more durable throughout his career.
A Familiar Formula for Sean Payton’s Offense
For Payton, the appeal goes beyond his production.
The Dowdle and Harvey pairing would mirror the formula that worked so well during Payton’s New Orleans tenure, when complementary skill sets allowed both backs to thrive.
Dowdle would handle the tougher interior work and goal line duties. Harvey provides juice in space and in the passing game.
After J.K. Dobbins’ Week 10 injury, Denver’s rushing attack slipped sharply in 2025.
The Broncos fell from a top-10 unit to the bottom third of the league as both production and efficiency dipped.
They averaged just over 104 rushing yards per game the rest of the regular season and struggled again in the playoffs.
Their inability to run the ball in snowy weather conditions was a major reason they lost the AFC Championship game to the Patriots.
The offense clearly lacked a dependable early down presence after Dobbins went down.
Dowdle would not command the premium price of some of the top names on the market like Kenneth Walker III or Breece Hall, but he brings proven production and durability.
For a team that saw its Super Bowl hopes fade once the ground game stalled, that kind of stability alongside explosive pass-catching rookie RJ Harvey could be exactly the combination the Broncos need.
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