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One of the very, very few bright spots of the Houston Texans’ 2022 NFL campaign was then-rookie tailback Dameon Pierce. To date, Pierce might be general manger Nick Caserio’s best draft pick. And, that’s a list that includes breakout safety Jalen Pitre, among others.
The #Texans have killed the #NFLDraft the last two seasons: #WeAreTexans
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 29, 2023
CJ Stroud
Will Anderson
Tank Dell
Derek Stingley
Kenyon Green
Jalen Pitre
John Metchie
Dameon Pierce pic.twitter.com/KZRjTLVx9j
Now, 2023 will see Pierce run behind a revitalized offensive line, sharing carries with a quality back in Devin Singletary, with rookie phenom C.J. Stroud handing him the ball after throwing passes to Robert Woods, John Metchie III, Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson, with tight end Dalton Schultz paving the way.
Dameon Pierce in year two is going to be insane.
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) May 7, 2023
-Pierce already proved he can be successful in a terrible offense / play calling.
-New QB + new system + new HC + new weapons and an improved offensive line.
-939 yards rushing and 4 rushing TDs in only 13 games as a rookie. pic.twitter.com/m4qnIzgEC9
You may have noticed that Nico Collins isn’t on the above list. Well, don’t count him out just yet, but after two seasons, Collins has yet to cross the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Granted, he hasn’t exactly had Dan Marino throwing to him, but odds are he’s going to have an uphill battle to beat out Metchie, Woods, Dell and Hutchinson in training camp to earn the WR1 or WR2 spot.
Meanwhile. Pierce will likely thrive no matter who is on the other end of Stroud’s passes. So far, the guy is the closest thing to Earl Campbell the Houston Texans have ever seen. So much so that his offensive linemen are thrilled to block for him.
New #Texans C Juice Scruggs: "Any offensive linemen dream is to have a running back in the backfield like Dameon Pierce."
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) April 29, 2023
#Texans' Shaq Mason says he has had a few conversations with Dameon Pierce. Says "it will be fun." Says he actually watched Pierce against the #Chargers in Week 4 last season, and that's when he took notice of him.
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) May 4, 2023
While Pierce isn’t going to sneak up on anyone this year, NFL defenses were already stacking the box against him last year and look what good that did.
Most combined first downs/touchdowns rushing among NFL rookies through Week 16:
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) December 29, 2022
1. Dameon Pierce, Texans (54)
2. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (45)
T-3. Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (40)
T-3. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (40)
5. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (32)
6. Rachaad White, Bucs (25) pic.twitter.com/O2NGHb3RWx
That’s right, Dameon Pierce fans should be happy. Very, very happy. Meanwhile, Pierce is still angry, very, very angry.
He's still angry. He's still running. pic.twitter.com/BbqD7J5oPk
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 7, 2023
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