Almost as odd as the Dallas Cowboys' inactivity in their search for their next running back - no offense, Rico Dowdle! - is the fast fade of Houston Texans' almost-star back Dameon Pierce.
Pierce joined Houston as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and was praised by coaches as an "Our Kind of Guy'' member of the Texans due to his rugged running style. He was not highly touted or highly used at Florida ...
And then came his explosion onto the scene, as Pierce totaled 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 13 games in 2022 for an awful Houston team. In addition to his toughness, he demonstrated versatility as he added 30 receptions for 165 yards and another touchdown.
But now? He's fallen out of favor in Houston - again.
Last year it was free agent Devin Singletary to beat him out. Now Joe Mixon has come to Houston from Cincinnati, and he'll be the every-down back for the C.J. Stroud-led Texans.
Pierce, to our knowledge, is not a behavioral issue; it's just that the Texans keep finding somebody a bit better. Enter an idea from Blogging the Boys writer David Howman, who is suggesting Pierce as a trade target.
If you read this space, you know that on occasion we shoot down many of these fantastical fantasy trade ideas ... often because we are able to run the logic of them by people here inside The Star. But this one? No shoot-down. And obvious logic.
Pierce's salary? He's just a $1 million guy.
Pierce's age? He just turned 24.
BtB's note that he could be had for "relatively cheap compensation''? That one, we do not know. But as Dallas sits on its hands regarding semi-affordable free agent running backs (from Derrick Henry on down), this seems like a worthy exploration. ... particularly if you agree that the Cowboys are "desperately'' in need of a kick-start in roster-building.
Yes, the Cowboys figure to use a draft pick on a running back that could end up starting. But that kid won't come much more affordably (or even much younger) than Dameon Pierce. ... and all in all, this seems like an easy and logical stone for Jerry Jones' front office to look under.
-
More must-reads: