From draft board climber to underperforming absurd expectations, Dameon Pierce, running back of the Houston Texans, is a polarizing player for many fantasy owners.
Pierce resembles Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s rookie fantasy journey. Edwards-Helaire ascended draft boards from the fourth/third round to the first. Fantasy owners placed unrealistic expectations on the first-year running back, making his season seem like a failure. In reality, if he was drafted in the third/fourth round, fantasy owners would’ve been content.
Pierce has shown promise, and Head Coach of the Texans, Lovie Smith, understands the importance of creating opportunities for the young playmaker.
“He’s earned the right to run with the ones, and I’m anxious to see him play.” Said Smith after Pierce’s Week I performance.
In Week I, Pierce recorded 11 carries for 33 yards and was on the field for less than 30% of the offensive snaps, with the Texans allocating 70% to veteran Rex Burkhead.
Pierce ran for 69 yards the following week on 15 carries (4.9 Avg). The initial competition with Burkhead is fading, as Pierce was the only running back to run the ball.
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I hope this doesn’t come as a shocker, but the Texans aren’t going to win the Super Bowl. They are rebuilding, and if they want to ensure a bright future, they must give their young players more experience. Some may be impatient with Pierce’s progression and want to salvage draft capital, allowing you to trade for the workhorse of the Texans.
Yes, Aaron Jones is the premiere running back of the Green Bay Packers, but as demonstrated in Week II, their offense will utilize a two-running back set, creating fantasy relevance for AJ Dillon.
As it is, Dillon is an adequate pass-catcher and runs with the same ferocity as Derrick Henry. Last year, he recorded over 800 yards rushing on 187 attempts with five touchdowns. In his three years with the Packers, he has earned more touches, and with the departure of Devante Adams, you can expect more targets coming his way in both the pass and run game.
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After Week I, Head Coach Matt LaFleur understood the importance of giving touches to his best offensive weapons.
“When two of your best players are your running backs, and I think it was 18 touches total, that’s not good enough.” Said LaFleur.
AJ Dillon is the thunder to Aaron Jones’ lightning. If the Packers are winning, expect Dillon’s usage to increase, as they will utilize him to pummel their opponents. Regardless of the situation, Aaron Rodgers trusts Dillon, automatically making him fantasy relevant.
There are only eight players with more carries than Josh Jacobs. The volume is there. Over two games, Jacobs recorded 126 yards on 29 carries. He is the goal-line back and doesn’t have much competition in the backfield.
In Week II, the Raiders were inside the five-yard line twice and opted to throw the ball instead of feeding Jacobs. He will continue to gain opportunities because of the exciting Raiders offense. The addition of Devante Adams will spread the field, freeing up the run game.
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In Jacobs’ three years in the NFL, he has yet to score less than seven touchdowns, and last year he saw a career-high 54 receptions on 64 targets. He’s displayed excellent field vision, is breaking tackles and is officially the workhorse of the Raiders.
Jacobs is in the last year of his rookie contract, and with a high influx of talented running backs that come at a lower price, the Raiders will most likely run him into the ground. Once the touchdown production arrives, you’ll be glad you traded for him.