Navigating Crowded RB Rooms: Houston Texans

Photo: Troy Taormina, USA Today Sports

The NFL season is fast approaching, and your redraft fantasy drafts are right around the corner. As training camps get underway, there are many question marks about NFL running back rooms. With the emergence of running back by committees, the days of being able to draft multiple bellcow running backs in fantasy leagues look like they are over. With that in mind, in this series of articles, we will look at crowded running back rooms and how you should be attacking each this season. Next up is the Houston Texans.

Offensive Scheme

The Texans are going through yet another rebuild, and this time they may have actually gotten their coaching hires correct. New head coach DeMeco Ryans prioritized hiring San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik, who Ryans worked with in San Francisco since 2017, ironically starting as a defensive assistant before moving over to the offensive side of the ball. Slowik takes over an offense that was one of the league’s worst the last two seasons. He will look to implement the offense from the Kyle Shanahan and Gary Kubiak tree. He also has a background working with Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, and Matt LaFleur during their time in Washington. If you haven’t listened to the new Playcallers podcast detailing those coaches, I highly recommend it.

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Under Bobby Slowik's implementation of the Shanahan West Coast system, the Texans' offense will likely focus on zone blocking in the run game and utilize outside zone rushing concepts. This scheme will benefit running backs with attributes such as explosiveness, pass-catching abilities, and long speed. The rushing attack will play a significant role in controlling the offensive tempo, particularly in the early stages of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud's career, as they aim to protect him and establish an offensive identity. Expect the Texans to prioritize their ground game as a key element of their offensive strategy, along with heavy play action. This Texans offense could be a sleeping giant in regards to fantasy production out of the running back position.

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is a standout player on the offensive line. His skill and experience can serve as a pillar of support for the rushing attack. On the other side of the line, right tackle Tytus Howard brings promise and potential to the team. If he continues to develop, he can become a force to reckon with on the right side, adding more versatility to the running game. Keep an eye on second-year player Kenyon Green. With a year of experience under his belt, Green has the potential to make significant strides in 2023. His growth can add depth and stability to the offensive line, bolstering the rushing attack.

The Texans made some notable off-season moves to address their offensive line concerns. The trade for Shaq Mason could prove to be a savvy move. While he had a down season last year, there's optimism that he can rediscover his form and be a valuable asset in 2023. If Mason can regain his previous level of performance, he will undoubtedly contribute to the team's rushing success.

Additionally, the Texans drafted Juice Scruggs, adding new talent to the mix. Scruggs might need some time to acclimate to the NFL, but his potential could pay dividends in the long run. His presence further strengthens the offensive line's depth, giving the team more options to execute the rushing scheme effectively.

Dameon Pierce

• Contract Status: Year 2 - 4 yr(s) / $4,475,432
• Free Agent: 2026/UFA
• Age: 23
• Redraft ADP: 5th Round RB20
• Dynasty ADP: 8th Round RB20

Pierce's performance in the 2022 season makes him a fascinating case study for this offense. Throughout the year, he stood out as the lone bright spot in the team's performance. According to data from Pro-Football-Reference, before his unfortunate injury in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys, Pierce ranked seventh in rushing yards (939), 16th in scrimmage yards (1,104), second in broken tackles (27), and fourth in rushing yards after contact (506). Notably, during that same period, he ranked as RB17 in PPR formats, surpassing expectations and considerably outperforming his ADP (Average Draft Position).

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Looking ahead to the 2023 season, Pierce seems to be the perfect fit for this new offensive system. The team appears confident in relying on him to carry the ball as much as needed. Based on current projections from Footballguys, he's expected to receive around 230 carries throughout the year. If he can maintain his health, reaching the 1,000-yard mark seems well within his reach. Moreover, if Pierce can increase his touchdown production to around six for the season, he has a chance to achieve high-end RB2 status in fantasy football. This potential makes him an appealing option for fantasy managers seeking a reliable running back with upside.

However, there is a notable obstacle that Pierce needs to overcome - his performance on third downs. According to Pro Football Focus, his pass-blocking grade from last season was 32.3, ranking him among the worst pass blockers among NFL starters. This could be a significant concern, especially with a rookie quarterback at the helm who they are trying to protect. Reports from training camp suggest that he's been working on improving in this area, which is promising, but it remains a critical aspect to watch during the season.

If Pierce can successfully develop his pass-blocking skills and contribute on third downs, it will significantly elevate his potential as an all-around back and unlock a higher ceiling for his fantasy production. On the other hand, if he struggles in this area and is primarily limited to early-down work, it could impact his fantasy value, limiting him to just an early-down role within the offense.

• Redraft Meter: ADP Value
• Dynasty Meter: Sell/Hold Depending on Value

Recent Dynasty Trades Involving Pierce (12 Team SF PPR):

• Dameon Pierce for Terry McLaurin
• Justin Fields/Dameon Pierce/George Pickens for Ken Walker III/Chris Godwin
• Dameon Pierce for Rachaad White/D.J. Chark Jr