For the Houston Texans to take leaps towards finishing their rebuild, they will need their 2022 NFL draft class to step up.
First-round picks Derek Stingley and Kenyon Green figure to be starters, and even Day 2 selections such as safety Jalen Pitre, linebacker Christian Harris, and receiver John Metchie will find playing time along the way. However, Houston needs their Day 3 selections to contribute right away — much the same way sixth-round defensive tackle Roy Lopez started 15 of 16 games as a rookie last year.
According to Chad Reuter from NFL.com, one of his Day 3 candidates to take starter snaps in 2022 is Texans fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce.
The Texans have a few veteran running backs on the roster, but Pierce could easily start eight or more games this year. Marlon Mack only has 32 carries over the past two years, and Rex Burkhead turns 32 this summer, so the former Gator should see a lot of carries. Houston fans will be won over by his electric confidence with the ball in his hands, and his strong nose for the end zone.
Unlike previous coaching regimes, at least the David Culley era showed a willingness to play younger players, and the philosophy may likely carry over to the Lovie Smith era. Burkhead is ancient in running back years, and Mack’s return to his pre-2020 self is a dubious proposition. If Pierce is able to consistently take reps in training camp and excels when his number is called, it would be inadvisable to choose a back other than Pierce.
Smith told reporters on May 13 that he appreciated Pierce’s hard running style.
“We drafted Dameon in mind with having a guy that can get yards in between the tackles,” said Smith. “He is a tough football player, confident football player. We feel like we have a role for him. You can’t ever have too many good running backs.”
Pierce is the Texans’ first drafted running back since D’Onta Foreman in 2017 when Houston selected him in the third round from Texas.
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