Dameon Pierce
  • Dameon Pierce

  • RB
  • , Houston Texans
  • 24
  • 215 lbs
  • 5' 10"
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Scouting report

by Bill Riccette

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - Week 4 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The good news: Dameon Pierce scored a touchdown last week. The bad news: It was his third straight game with less than 40 yards rushing. The Texans are starting to mix Devin Singletary more into the game plan and C.J. Stroud will take a couple rushes himself. The question now becomes can Pierce bounce back and hold on to his spot leading the charge or will this become a true committee? It’s Pierce for now, but the gap is closing.

by Bill Riccette

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars

It's been a rough start for Dameon Pierce. He is averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 26 attempts. The silver lining is he is the top back in Houston and no one else is really close. But early on, it looks like the Texans are going to be playing from behind plenty this season which will limit an already limited ceiling for Pierce. But he gets the volume, so he's at least worth flex consideration, but nothing more for now, especially against a good Jaguars defense.

by Bill Riccette

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Week 1 game against the Ravens didn't get as ugly as some may have thought it would, but ugly enough that Dameon Pierce only saw 11 carries for just 38 yards. The Colts allowed over 100 yards rushing last week against the Jaguars including 77 to Travis Etienne. Houston should be in a closer game this week so Pierce should see more work on the ground. He's worth a look as an RB2.

by Bill Riccette

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 at Baltimore Ravens

Dameon Pierce is back after missing the last four games of the season as a rookie and nearly rushing for 1,000 yards. He’s the main back in Houston, even with adding Devin Singletary. But he runs right into one of the toughest run defenses in the Ravens for Week 1. The good news is Houston will likely pour into Pierce again, so just by sheer volume, Pierce is a worthy start this week.

by Bob Harris

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - 2023 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
This time last year, Dameon Pierce was viewed as an explosive and powerful runner entering a situation with the Texans where he could easily win the starting job by the end of his rookie season. It didn't even take him that long. The Florida product was the starter from Week 1 on and gained at least 69 rushing yards in seven of his first nine games -- including five games of 90 or more. After a few more disappointing efforts, an ankle injury ended his regular season prematurely. He was well on his way to surpassing 1,000 yards before missing the last four games. As FantasyPros notes, despite the injury, Pierce still finished fourth in missed tackles forced and first in missed tackles forced per attempt (28 percent) among backs with at least 100 carries.

Fantasy Downside
The Texans will be one of the worst teams in the league, and playing from behind means a ton of passing plays. A capable Devin Singletary comes in to split the workload with Pierce. Pierce should lead the Texans backfield in 2023, but an entirely new coaching staff and Pierce's 4th-round draft capital suggest that his undisputed workhorse role could change. And some of the best rushing defenses last year on a yards-per-carry basis -- the Colts (twice), Titans (twice), Ravens, Bengals and Jets -- load up Houston's schedule.

2023 Bottom Line
Still, 4for4's John Paulsen contends with C.J. Stroud at quarterback, Houston's offense should be better able to sustain drives, stay competitive and stick with the running game. Paulsen believes this could lead to a fantasy RB2-type season for Pierce, matching his ADP, but the concerns outlined above are worth noting.

by Bill Riccette

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - Week 14 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 14 at Dallas Cowboys

It was nice to see Dameon Pierce bounce back the way he did last week against the Browns. He totaled 95 yards on 21 touches after combining for 33 yards on 20 touches the two weeks prior. This week, it's a date with the Cowboys, who are very stout against the run and will make things very difficult for the Texans' offense. Still, Pierce should continue to get the opportunities, making him RB2-worthy this week.

by Bill Riccette

HOU RB Dameon Pierce - Week 13 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 13 vs. Cleveland Browns

Has the rookie wall hit Dameon Pierce? Pierce has a whopping 16 yards on 15 carries over his last two games and 33 yards on 20 touches in that time. Well, if there's a chance for a bounce-back week, it's this week. The Browns rate as our easiest matchup against running backs this week and are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The upside still makes Pierce worth a start, but if he struggles again, he's worth questioning in the fantasy playoffs.