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Player: Dameon Pierce

Team: Houston Texans

Selection: 98th Overall (Round 4 // Pick 2)

 

On the latest episode of the Razzball Fantasy Football Podcast, Bobby LaMarco welcomes in Sky Guasco to discuss former Florida running back Dameon Pierce and what his potential fantasy value is as a rookie in Houston. To hear our full analysis, check out the YouTube video included with this article. See where Pierce ranks on our new consensus rookie rankings for 2022 fantasy football dynasty leagues and 2022 fantasy football ADP pages!

 

Few fantasy managers are excited about the Houston Texans’ roster these days, but along with Brandin Cooks and Davis Mills in deeper leagues, keep an eye out for 4th Round draft pick Dameon Pierce. Now, the draft capital is not good for an NFL rookie running back, but Pierce was originally recruited by Alabama and arguably fell into the best possible opportunity for a rookie RB this season. He has little competition and the veterans in front of him have an injury history and inconsistent tendencies that may crack the door open for Pierce early in 2022. If that happens, I think Pierce can surprise the NFL and fantasy managers willing to take the shot on his RB59 13.02 ADP in 12-team PPR redraft leagues. 

 

Pierce’s teammate Marlon Mack is going just a half-round earlier at RB55 12.06. There’s no reason to take Mack instead of Pierce at the same draft cost. Mack has a history of injuries. Pierce has fresh legs and upside in what should be a better-performing offense this season. Mack and Rex Burkhead are the only backs ahead of Pierce going into training camp. Neither are suited for three-down work and both have an injury history and wear on the tires. Last season, a throwback backfield of Burkhead, Mark Ingram, David “one time fantasy legend” Johnson, Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman combined for 366 carries, 1,171 rushing yards and an embarrassing five rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who only played six games, had three rushing touchdowns. I could see Pierce winning first and second down duties (at least) and racking up close to 200 touches for 800+ yards and 6+ touchdowns as a rookie. Those numbers might be conservative if Davis Mills and Co. can take a step forward as an offense and Pierce becomes the main back. 800+ yards and 6+ touchdowns would have been RB36 last season in half-PPR. That’s not really accounting for receptions. Let’s say it takes Pierce a month to get his role. We’ll give him 12 games of real work. That’s roughly RB27 in fantasy points per game in 2021 around Michael Carter, J.D. McKissic and Tony Pollard. Pierce is being drafted in the 13th round! That’s a potential league-winning pick in redraft. 

 

In dynasty, Pierce is going as the RB5 and 14th pick overall in rookie drafts. I’d rather have Pierce over Skyy Moore (KC) and Jahan Dotson (WAS) this year and possibly for the next few. I don’t trust Washington as a franchise and I think Justyn Ross could outpace Moore in Kansas City. To hear our full analysis, check out the YouTube video above or listen to the podcast audio below.