Panthers Regret Letting Dowdle Go

0:00It's April 6th. Welcome to Durham News Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the story. The Carolina Panthers might be second-guessing letting Rico Dattle hit free agency. He was their top-russia last season, and now PFF's fresh rankings drop him at number 27 overall. That's a clear step up from what they've got left in the backfield. They're still all about their run game to prop up Bryce Young, but the unit feels weaker without Dattle's spark. Chuba Hubbard sits at 39 in those same rankings, while Jonathan Brooks is 41st, both in a lower tier. Fans and analysts are buzzing about the drop-off, especially since Hubbard took a step back in 2025 with nagging injuries. Brooks is coming off a second-torn ACL in the same knee, just 13 months apart, so banking on him feels like a gamble. PFF highlights how they passed on free agents who rank higher, like JK Dobbins at 37. Tyler Algear at 33, and even Travis, Eddie and Junior at 18.

1:01They prioritize defense over bolstering the rush attack. Dattle gets his shot against Carolina this season, and with their ground game hanging in the balance, the Panthers could feel that sting come game, time.