Dameon Pierce

Dameon Pierce

24-Year-Old Running BackRB
Houston Texans
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The 2023 season was a real bummer for Pierce, especially after he looked so great as a rookie fourth-round pick in 2022. Unfortunately for Pierce, his 2023 struggles were so profoundly bad that it's difficult to remember the 2022 version that ran for 939 yards in 13 games prior to a season-ending foot injury. Averaging 2.9 yards per carry will eventually get a running back sent to the bench, and possibly for good, so Pierce really needs a strong showing this summer if he's even going to earn the backup role to potential three-down workhorse Joe Mixon. A lack of sturdy competition in Houston's backfield -- rookie sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan and passing-down back Dare Ogunbowale are the other main names -- doesn't mean Pierce will be safe in his backup role if he looks as bad as he did last year. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#189.45
ADP
$Signed a four-year, $4.48 million contract with the Texans in May of 2022.
Encouraging start to camp
RBHouston Texans
July 20, 2024
Pierce has shown improvement in the first days of training camp, John Harris of the Texans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierce struggled to produce last season in a new offensive scheme and eventually lost his starting job to Devin Singletary. The new outside zone scheme required reading the defense to dictate where the back goes, which was different from the power-gap scheme, where backs can predetermine where they want to go. During the first two days of camp, Pierce has shown improved patience and decision-making after getting the ball. With Singletary gone, the Texans added Joe Mixon, who is expected to be the lead back in 2024, but Pierce could make this a 1-2 punch in the backfield.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Dameon Pierce's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Broken Tackle %
    The number of broken tackles divided by rush attempts.
  • Positive Run %
    The percentage of run plays where he was able to gain positive yardage.
  • % Yds After Contact
    The percentage of his rushing yards that came after contact.
  • Avg Yds After Contact
    The average rushing yards he gains after contact.
  • Rushing TD %
    Rushing touchdowns divided by rushing attempts. In other words, how often is he scoring when running the ball.
  • Touches Per Game
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) he is averaging per game
  • % Snaps w/Touch
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) divided by offensive snaps played.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Broken Tackle %
12.4%
 
Positive Run %
75.2%
 
% Yds After Contact
75.7%
 
Avg Yds After Contact
2.2
 
Rushing TD %
1.4%
 
Touches Per Game
11.3
 
% Snaps w/Touch
54.5%
 
Air Yards Per Game
0.6
 
Air Yards Per Snap
0.03
 
% Team Air Yards
0.2%
 
% Team Targets
3.0%
 
Avg Depth of Target
0.5 Yds
 
Catch Rate
76.5%
 
Drop Rate
5.9%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
7.5
 
% Targeted On Route
14.7%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.87
 
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2023
2022
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Houston TexansTexans 2023 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

66156%
29625%
12411%
968%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Dameon Pierce lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Dameon Pierce Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Dameon Pierce's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
218 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.59 sec
 
Vertical Jump
34.5 in
 
Broad Jump
119 in
 
Bench Press
21 reps
 
Hand Length
9.38 in
 
Arm Length
30.75 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Dameon Pierce See More
ADP Analysis: Tracking Best Ball ADP Movement Throughout July
2 days ago
Rashee Rice is one of the many players whose ADP rebounded in July after sinking earlier this offseason. RotoWire's Jerry Donabedian gives the full breakdown on recent ADP movement.
2024 Houston Texans Preview: Roster Moves, Depth Chart, Schedule, Storylines and More
4 days ago
After bursting onto the scene as the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense will be looking to take the next step with a new top weapon in the form of WR Stefon Diggs.
Stat of the Day: 50 Stats, 50 Takes
23 days ago
Jim Coventry offers quick fantasy takes on some illuminating stats for various players, including why Breece Hall should be the second running back off the board.
ADP Analysis: Comparing June ADPs Between Underdog, DraftKings and Drafters
32 days ago
DraftKings offers the best value for stacking Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin, while Drafters and Underdog tend to have top running backs available at later ADPs.
ADP Analysis: Tracking Best Ball ADP Movement from May through June
39 days ago
Wide receivers were the big ADP gainers over the past month, with Jaylen Waddle leading the way after signing a huge extension late in May.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
While the addition of Devin Singletary gives the Texans more than they had last year, the former Bill alone shouldn't be too threatening for Pierce, who was a revelation almost immediately when he arrived to the Texans. It's not often that a team quietly names a rookie, fourth-round-pick running back its starter in the early days of training camp, but it's easy to see why the Texans were convinced. Pierce caught fire between Weeks 3 and 10, running for 670 yards (4.8 YPC) and three touchdowns in seven games while adding 20 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets. Eventually, the burden of single-handedly carrying the dreadful Houston offense caught up with him. Defenses knew Houston couldn't pass or give the ball to anyone else, so they sold out to stop Pierce and held him to just 167 yards rushing (3.0 YPC). A high-ankle sprain mercifully gave Pierce the final month off, but all in all it was a highly impressive rookie season and he came back healthy for spring practices. There's a good chance he's the focal point of Houston's offense again, considering the franchise is in the hands of a defensive-minded head coach (DeMeco Ryans) and a 21-year-old QB (C.J. Stroud) who is stuck with subpar receivers for his rookie year.
The second pick in the fourth round of this year's draft, Pierce has a chance to be the top guy in a Houston backfield that otherwise contains holdover Rex Burkhead and free-agent addition Marlon Mack as the top competition for snaps and touches. Pierce is the most physical runner of the trio, capable of using his impressive lower-body power to erupt through holes and attack would-be tacklers. He also showed flashes of agility and receiving skill in college that could allow him to become more than just a short-yardage specialist. What Pierce lacks is breakaway speed, though his refusal to go down on first contact could still lead to some chunk plays. Mack has just 32 carries the last two seasons and may start the year on the practice squad, while Burkhead, a jack-of-all-trades, has flopped before when given a chance to start. It appears Pierce will enter Week 1 as the starter, or at least the lead runner, with two excellent showings in the preseason solidifying his strong work from training camp.
More Fantasy News
Expected to contribute this year
RBHouston Texans
May 2, 2024
GM Nick Caserio said Tuesday that he expects Pierce to be "a big part" of the Houston offense this upcoming season, Tyler Milner of Sports Radio 610 reports.
ANALYSIS
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Joined in backfield by Mixon
RBHouston Texans
March 12, 2024
Pierce looks slated to work as the backup to Joe Mixon, DJ Bien-Amie of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Lone back under contract
RBHouston Texans
February 1, 2024
Pierce finished the 2023 campaign with 145 carries for 416 yards and two touchdowns along with 13 receptions (17 targets) for 101 receiving yards over 14 regular-season games.
ANALYSIS
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Little involvement in win
RBHouston Texans
January 15, 2024
Pierce had three carries for zero yards and played six snaps on offense in Saturday's 45-14 wild-card playoff victory over Cleveland.
ANALYSIS
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No snaps on offense
RBHouston Texans
January 7, 2024
Pierce returned one kickoff for 30 yards and did not play on offense in Saturday's 23-19 win over the Colts in Week 18.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Should get RB1 reps with Mixon hurt
RBHouston Texans
July 24, 2024
Pierce began training camp as Houston's top healthy running back with Joe Mixon missing the team's first two practices with a hamstring injury, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Head coach DeMeco Ryans clarified that the team doesn't view Mixon's injury as a major concern, but soft-tissue injuries have a high risk of becoming recurring, so the team will likely take a cautious approach with him. While Mixon recovers, Pierce will have a nice opportunity to build a rapport with the first-team offense in training camp, assuming he continues to work ahead of newly signed running back Cam Akers, who is working his way back from an Achilles tear.
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