In 2024, the Houston Texans struggled to establish a consistent run game outside of Joe Mixon. While Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards, the Texans' three backup running backs combined for 552 yards. Due to the backups' struggles, Houston went out and added to their running back room this offseason.
In April, they drafted University of Southern California running back Woody Marks. Then, during OTAs, Houston signed veteran running back Nick Chubb. These additions to the running back room, plus some other moves the Texans made this offseason, may have put fourth-year running back Dameon Pierce on the trade block.
Dameon Pierce Enters Texans Training Camp on the Trading Block
The Texans selected Pierce with the No. 107 pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Pierce impressed, rushing for 939 yards on 220 carries while scoring four touchdowns. He accomplished this by showing a great combination of speed and power as he broke 27 tackles.
Since then, however, Pierce hasn't had as many opportunities on offense. Over the next two seasons, the 25-year-old combined for 709 yards (416 yards in 2023 and 293 yards in 2024) on 185 carries and four touchdowns. Furthermore, he only combined to break 18 tackles between 2023 and 2024.
That said, Pierce has been used more in the kick return game after his rookie season. In the last two years, he returned 16 kicks for 564 yards and one touchdown. Moreover, he has averaged 35.3 yards per return, which is the best in the NFL for players with over five returns a year over the past two seasons.
Even so, Houston brought in Braxton Berrios this offseason, whose only real chance of making the roster is as a returner. Berrios has been a pretty effective return man throughout his six-year career. He has averaged 24.8 yards per return on 88 kickoffs for a total of 2,184 yards and one touchdown.
With Pierce's contract expiring at the end of the 2025 season, the Texans would be smart to try to move him and receive some late draft capital back. Pierce could hold value to teams like the Dallas Cowboys, who could be looking to add another running back after training camp.