Dameon Pierce had an abbreviated rookie season with 13 games, but it was spectacular nonetheless.
The fourth-rounder from Florida carried 220 times for 939 yards and four touchdowns. Among rookies, Pierce finished third in rushing yards as the Seattle Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker had 1,050 and the Atlanta Falcons’ Tyler Allgeier had 1,035. However, Walker played in 15 and Allgeier had the benefit of 16 games.
The secret to Pierce’s success was his ability to bull and squeeze his way on second efforts to turn short gains into moderate gains. Pierce also had 54 first downs on the ground, the most between Walker (51) and Allgeier (53).
One of Pierce’s best runs of the season was even lauded at the NFL Honors as the “Angriest Run of the Year” against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 9, 2022, in a 13-6 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, according to Chris Trapasso, Pierce wasn’t good enough to crack the first round in CBS Sports’ redraft of the first round from last year’s draft. In fact, none of the running backs from the draft were taken in Round 1.
The Texans take Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson, who went to the New York Jets originally, with their No. 3 overall pick in Round 1. With Houston’s second pick in Round 1 at No. 13 overall, they take UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen, who originally went to the Seattle Seahawks and led the NFL in interceptions.
Houston did have some of their picks from 2022 crack the first round. Cornerback Derek Stingley from LSU goes No. 4 overall to the Jets after the Jacksonville Jaguars take Ahmad Gardner with the No. 1 overall selection. Safety Jalen Pitre from Baylor goes No. 31 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
