The Houston Texans don’t have much to offer for fantasy football owners in late July.
Aside from receiver Brandin Cooks, who is a reliable No. 3 or flex in fantasy lineups, the Texans’ other perimeter players are risks. Will Nico Collins take another step in development in his second year? Will tight end Brevin Jordan become more than just a red zone target? How will second-year quarterback Davis Mills truly fare against NFL competition knowing he is the solution under center?
The Texans have an intriguing option in the backfield in fourth-round rookie Dameon Pierce. The question isn’t if Pierce will take over as the feature back, but a question of when.
According to Chris Powers from CBS Sports, there won’t be a rookie running back who finishes in the top-24 at the position in 2022.
Maybe I’m being too pessimistic. After all, there has been at least one rookie RB inside of the top 20 every season since 2011, so history suggests someone will get there in 2022. Breece Hall has the best chance, seemingly, but he’s tied to a Jets offense that has a long way to go before it even becomes average. And that’s the best scenario any of them find themselves in; Kenneth Walker is splitting work in Drew Lock‘s offense, while James Cook is in a likely timeshare in a Bills offense that has been one of the worst in the league for RBs in Fantasy since Josh Allen became the starting QB.
If Hall has the best chance, why doesn’t Pierce? The former Florida product will be playing in offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s run-heavy scheme. If Pierce ever takes over the starting job, he will have ample opportunity to rack up yards.
Consider that with the Gators last year Pierce had 100 carries for the season. Florida was giving up on the run a bit too early in games. Pierce was nevertheless producing as he generated 5.7 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns on the ground.
If Pierce is able to take over as the bell-cow for Houston’s offense early in the season, he should easily finish in the top-24 among running backs by season’s end.
