The Houston Texans knew what they were getting in their fourth-round running back from Florida.
Dameon Pierce had demonstrated at Florida and throughout the draft process that he was a physical runner and would finish off runs.
According to running backs coach Danny Barrett, while Houston knew they were adding a “talented football player” to the stable, they didn’t know what else Pierce would be able to offer.
“You knew he was a physical runner, able to finish runs,” said Barrett. “But just his ability to keep those legs moving and moving, pounce like that, adapting to the speed of the game, he probably surprised himself somewhat as well.”
Pierce was tied with Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery for the third-lowest yards before contact per carry in the NFL at 2.0, indicating the the offensive line wasn’t opening enough holes for running backs. However, Pierce was able to finish off runs with his 2.3 yards after contact, still tied for the fourth-most in the NFL despite Pierce not having played a down since Week 14.
The rookie started in 13 games for Houston, and the attitude Pierce brought inside NRG Stadium buoyed a team that struggled to win throughout the year.
“Because of the type of work ethic he has and his attitude every day, it’s infectious,” Barrett said. “He comes to work every day trying to get better, and that’s really what he built on week in and week out. How can I get better? How can I improve?”
Pierce finished the season with 939 rushing yards, which are the 13th-most in the NFL entering Week 17. No other rookie has more yards than Pierce, despite his season ending with an ankle injury in Week 14.
The Texans’ rookie was voted an alternate to the Pro Bowl, but will not be able to be an official Pro Bowler until a running back from the AFC drops out.
Said Barrett: “I’m happy for him that his peers recognized him as well to be voted as an alternate to the Pro Bowl. That says a lot for a first-year player and not being able to finish off the year.”
Pierce’s 939 rushing yards rank as the third-best for a rookie running back in Texans history.