Super Bowl contenders typically don’t get rid of players at the trade deadline, but the Houston Texans could make an exception for third-year running back Dameon Pierce. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Florida product burst onto the scene as a rookie under then-head coach Lovie Smith. Starting and appearing in 13 games, the running back finished his inaugural season with 939 yards and four touchdowns on 220 attempts.
Unfortunately for Pierce, Smith lasted just one year in Houston before DeMeco Ryans took over. The head coach dramatically improved most of Houston’s roster, but his running scheme wasn’t a fit for Pierce’s north-south style of play. Dameon Pierce lost the starting job to Devin Singletary in 2022 and Joe Mixon in 2023, making the odds of a trade all the more likely. He can be a valuable player in the right offense, and the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints could provide that opportunity.
Chargers, Saints Could Trade For Texans Dameon Pierce
The Los Angeles Chargers want to win games on the ground, and they might not have a choice of doing it any other way. Superstar quarterback Justin Herbert left Week 3’s loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a walking boot, and while he wants to play in Week 4, it’s safe to say he won’t be at full strength. 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston has played surprisingly well through three weeks, but he can’t carry a hobbled Herbert to a division title. This team must win on the ground, and a Dameon Pierce trade could add some much-needed depth to this backfield.
J.K. Dobbins has been a pleasant surprise, overcoming historical precedent to become a viable starter just one year after he tore his Achilles. Gus Edwards, however, has not played up to his paycheck, as the former Raven is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry through three weeks. Dameon Pierce might not recapture his rookie form, but the trade target could be a more effective short-yardage back. His 5′-10″, 215-pound frame was made for Harbaugh’s hard-nosed style of offense, and he could be the perfect thunder to Dobbins’ lightning.
Kamara Insurance
Alvin Kamara leads the NFL with 417 all-purpose yards through three weeks of action. The 29-year-old running back remains a key player on one of the NFL’s most surprising rosters, but nobody can outrun Father Time forever. Historically, running back production tends to drop off after their age-27 season, so nobody should expect Kamara to keep this up indefinitely. New Orleans could use a powerful back to pair with Kamara, and Dameon Pierce could be the ideal trade target.
Technically, New Orleans already has a player like this in Jamaal Williams. Signed after leading the league in touchdowns in 2022, the veteran running back has not played up to his potential in New Orleans. Williams had an abysmal 2023 and is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry in 2024. Age is catching up to the 29-year-old right before our eyes, and with third-round pick Kendre Miller not in the Saints long-term plans, New Orleans could use a player like Dameon Pierce. The running back won’t usurp Alvin Kamara, but he could handle some touches and keep the star running back fresh throughout the season.
Main Photo: Christine Tannous – USA Today Sports
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