Pat Fitzmaurice· Aug 23, 2026
Fitzmaurice names Rico Dowdle a running back to avoid, expecting Jaylen Warren to be Pittsburgh's primary back because of his superior pass-catching and pass-blocking with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
“My money is on Warren as Pittsburgh's primary running back this year, and it's possible Dowdle has a smaller role than some expect.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls and 1 fantasy bust call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 2 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 1.
Where this call stands in the room
Rico Dowdle · 2026 season11 calls from 8 pundits between 1 and 2. Pat Fitzmaurice said 2. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
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Who this take is about
3 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Jaylen Warren to be 1st on the depth chart
“My money is on Warren as Pittsburgh's primary running back this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 23, 2026
Rico Dowdle to be 2nd on the depth chart
“My money is on Warren as Pittsburgh's primary running back this year, and it's possible Dowdle has a smaller role than some expect.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsRico DowdlePittsburgh SteelersAug 23, 2026
Rico Dowdle to fall short of his draft cost (RB32, 86th overall)
“Dowdle was at RB32, 86th overall. ... it's possible Dowdle has a smaller role than some expect.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
- Jordan DajaniGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Dajani expects the Steelers to comfortably beat the Falcons in Week 1, arguing Atlanta's quarterback situation under Tua Tagovailoa is a mess; he also picks the Vikings to beat the Packers in a low-scoring game.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
- Simon HunterGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Hunter picked Houston and the Giants as underdog money line plays, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit as favorites, and used Pittsburgh plus the Chargers as his survivor picks for week one.
- Danny ParkinsGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Parkins picked the Giants to upset Dallas, the Steelers to beat Atlanta by two scores, the Bears to beat Carolina, the Bills to beat Houston and Denver to beat Kansas City outright; he also said Justin Herbert will win an MVP and had the Bengals as AFC North champs.
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