'Mean & Aggressive': Texans 'Versatile' RBs Primed For 'Good Year'
Running back Dameon Pierce showed in limited action that he was well worth the fourth-round pick the Houston Texans used on him in the 2022 draft.
The Texans went out and got running back Devin Singletary in free agency likely to take some of the workload off of Pierce's shoulders and preserve his health. Couple that one-two punch with seven-year veteran Dare Ogunbowale, and the ground game should see an uptick in production this season.
"We have a versatile group," safety Jalen Pitre said Monday. "A group of running backs that can run the ball mean and aggressively, a group of running backs that can catch the ball out of the backfield and run a bunch of different, dynamic routes."
With rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud looking to take the reins come the regular season, a good ground game and solid pass-catching backs who can serve as an outlet for him will be good for his development as he learns more about downfield coverages and reading pressures.
Pierce was well on his way to cementing himself as a top-10 running back in the NFL, but his season was cut short to 13 games. His 72.2 yards per game were eighth among all ball-carriers in the league, while his 939 yards on the season were still better than Austin Ekeler, Alvin Kamara, Ezekiel Elliott and Jonathan Taylor among others.
Pass-catching running backs were a staple in Houston's offense last season, as former Texan Rex Burkhead, Pierce and Ogunbowale made up three of the top-seven reception options in 2022. Against the Patriots, Texans tailbacks accounted for three catches on four targets and 12 yards.
Pitre said it's "exciting" to go against the running backs in practice every day and has high hopes for the room in 2023.
"They keep guys like me in the back end honest because at any moment they could burst through or something could happen," Pitre said. "I'm glad that we have a good group of backs, and I know they're going to have a good year."
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