The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired a new running back in free agency, Rico Dowdle. Today, I wanted to examine what he was able to do last season situationally. Specifically, I look at statistics regarding runs between the tackles and outside runs, courtesy of Sports Info Solutions (SIS).

What I wanted to learn most was which RBs provided the most spark in these situations, and vice versa. SIS has “boom” and “bust” stats, using Expected Points Added (EPA), with at least 1 considered a “boom” run, and -1 or lower a “bust” run.

Let’s start with the between-the-tackle runs:

What jumps out right away is a strong 14 percent boom rate from Dowdle last season with the Panthers. That number ranked sixth out of 42 qualifying running backs (min. 50 between-the-tackle runs). Quite impressive, especially considering his 107 between-the-tackles attempts (T-eighth most). This is quite encouraging compared to Warren’s 8.5-percent boom rate, which was below average (31st), on 82 attempts (T-17th).

Bust rates were a different story, with Rico Dowdle landing at a near-average 11.2-percent bust rate (24th), while Jaylen Warren had a 7.3-percent bust rate (T-fifth). The hope is that another year together for a mostly-returning offensive line can set the new running back tandem up for greater success.

Now for the outside-the-tackle results:

Both running backs land on the upper left, limiting unsuccessful outside runs, but lacking in extremely successful ones compared to their peers. Dowdle had a 7.8 percent bust rate (13th), while Warren’s 5.4 percent bust rate tied for an even stronger third-best. It was nice to see that negative plays were extremely limited when Warren toted the rock, bringing optimism for what things could look like with Dowdle added.

Both had below-average boom rates on outside runs, which will hopefully change this year. Warren had the better 10.9 percent boom rate of the two (20th), while Dowdle came in at 10.1 percent (26th) out of 39 qualifiers (min. 75 outside the tackle runs). Strangely enough, they had the same number of outside run attempts, 129, tying for 17th.

Rico Dowdle definitely provided a spark between the tackles and in high volume. The latter normally drops yards per carry, yet Dowdle still had a good 4.2 average, compared to Warren’s 3.4 yards per attempt. This has many factors, but it is noteworthy from a statistical perspective. Outside the tackles, Warren fared better, including a healthy 5.3 yards per attempt (T-fifth), while Dowdle’s 4.8 tied for 15th.

The numbers paint a pretty clear picture of how the RB duo could be utilized. Dowdle should get plenty of opportunities in between the tackles, first and foremost. That’s what I’d do if I coached for Pittsburgh.