The Houston Texans’ selection of Dameon Pierce in Round 4 of the 2022 NFL draft represented a commitment to a younger running back the organization had not shown since 2017.
The last time Houston picked a running back was in 2017 with third-rounder D’Onta Foreman from Texas. Foreman showed promise in his initial 10 games with the Texans, tallying 327 rushing yards, but a torn Achilles effectively derailed his career just as it was getting started.
Foreman was on pace for 523.2 rushing yards. It may not have set the Texans’ rookie rushing record, but would have been good enough for sixth place, passing Wali Lundy’s 476 from 2006.
The expectation with Pierce is he is the heir apparent to the Texans’ feature back role. What has yet to be determined is when he will take over for Rex Burkhead and Marlon Mack.
The Texans’ rookie rushing record is 1,282 set by Steve Slaton in 2008. The third-rounder from West Virginia played all 16 games, and averaged 4.8 yards per carry.
Like Slaton, Pierce will have the benefit of playing in a run-heavy offense as offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton wants to establish the run. Pierce will get his chances.
Pierce must first win the starting job — either in camp or shortly after the start of the regular season. The only game Slaton did not start was Week 1, a 38-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Gary Kubiak went with Slaton in Week 2, and the run game never looked back.
Games with 100 rushing yards or more are important, but so are games above 70 yards. Slaton had four games with 100-plus rushing yards, and he also had four more games of at least 70 rushing yards. Pierce will have the benefit of an additional game to help reach that threshold.
If the Texans get a full slate of games from second-year quarterback Davis Mills, that will also give Pierce another advantage Slaton lacked. Although Matt Schaub was the franchise quarterback, the Texans had to rely on Sage Rosenfels for five games. Slaton reached the century mark just twice when Rosenfels started.
The rookie record isn’t impossible for Pierce to achieve, but it will take a certain set of conditions for the former Florida running back to etch his name in team history.