Texans running back Dameon Pierce Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Texans' Dameon Pierce rewards fantasy owners with stellar play

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 10, 2022 6:32 PM ET

Rookie running back Dameon Pierce was a sleeper pick in fantasy drafts this season, but he's waking people up after a remarkable performance Sunday.

How many broken tackles did y'all count

» @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/o12otpouOg
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 9, 2022

Pierce led the Houston Texans (1-3-1) to their first win of the season, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, 13-6. His bruising style caught the Jaguars off guard, leading to "the most missed tackles [Pro Football Focus] has ever recorded."

Dameon Pierce: 17 missed tackles forced on runs vs the Jaguars

That’s the most PFF has EVER recorded in a single game pic.twitter.com/wXC8LZnEz8
— PFF (@PFF) October 10, 2022

During the preseason, Pierce received some buzz as a sleeper pick in fantasy football drafts, but even with the hype, his average draft position in PPR leagues was 97th overall, per Fantasy Pros. For players who drafted him, there's a feeling of validation over the beginning of his career.

Dameon Pierce: 64.3 PPR points the last 3 weeks

4th among RBs

DAMEON PIERCE RB1 SZN IS HERE pic.twitter.com/anIo4eAc5x
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 10, 2022

Pierce's performance has served as a much-needed bright spot for a Texans franchise with nine wins since the beginning of the 2020 season.

Pierce ranks fourth in the league in rushing with 86 carries for 412 yards and three touchdowns. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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