Dowdle, Rico - CAR

After his breakout season, sadly, the Cowboys kicked Rico Dowdle to the curb. He signed with the Carolina Panthers and enters the year as the likely handcuff to Chuba Hubbard. Dowdle was good last year as the RB24 in fantasy points per game with 274 touches and 1,328 total yards. Dowdle could have had an even better season if Dallas had quit playing around with a rotation and leaned on him as "the guy" all year. In Weeks 9-18, Dowdler averaged 19.9 touches and 95.1 total yards (RB19), and he ranked 16th in explosive run rate and seventh in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If Hubbard were to miss any time, Dowdle would be a plug-and-play RB2. He's a strong handcuff option this season.

Williams, Javonte - DAL

Last year, it was tough to watch Javonte Williams. The injuries have seemingly robbed him of his special tackle-breaking sauce. The Broncos kept trotting him out there weekly without a better option to take his place. Williams finished as the RB36 in fantasy points per game. He will be in the conversation, if not the favorite, to be the Cowboys' starting back this season, with only Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue realistically competing with him for the job. I don't know if Williams has the juice anymore to hold off those players, but he will be given the opportunity to do so. Last year, Williams ranked outside the top 34 backs in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Williams makes the most sense with Zero RB builds this season, as he could buy time for a fantasy star to emerge from your bench to take his place in your starting lineup.

Gainwell, Kenneth - PIT

The Steelers signed RB Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year contract.

Gainwell spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Eagles. The Steelers backfield currently only consists of him and Jaylen Warren.