The Cowboys largely met expectations in the 2024 NFL draft, addressing their needs effectively. Prioritizing the interior, they selected offensive linemen Tyler Guyton in the first round and Connor Beebe in the third, both of whom have the potential to start in the upcoming season.
Furthermore, the Cowboys fortified their defensive line and linebacker positions in the early rounds, while also making late-round selections to bolster the interior on both sides of the ball.
However, notably absent from their draft strategy was the selection of a running back. Instead, they opted to address this need by re-signing former star Ezekiel Elliott on Monday.
While Ezekiel Elliott has undoubtedly been a standout performer in the earlier stages of his career, his recent production hasn’t matched the heights of his early seasons. With Elliott now likely to lead the Cowboys’ running back corps, alongside Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and fullback Hunter Luepke, there’s a sense of a running-back-by-committee approach.
However, to bolster this committee, SI.com’s Cowboys site suggests the addition of demoted Texans star Dameon Pierce.
In an article titled “Post-Draft Trade Targets That Make Sense For Dallas,” analyst Dustin Mosher highlights the potential opportunity for the Cowboys to acquire Dameon Pierce from the Texans. Mosher suggests that the Texans’ recent signing of Joe Mixon and selection of running back Jawhar Jordan in the draft could lead to Pierce being squeezed out of his role.
Mosher writes, “The surprise signing of Joe Mixon by the Houston Texans throws a wrench into Dameon Pierce’s role. The Texans also used a draft pick on running back Jawhar Jordan. This logjam could present an opportunity for Dallas. Pierce, a physical runner with good receiving ability, could be had for a mid-to-late-round pick. Even with the signing of Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas needs to add more depth to the running back room and Pierce could fill that void at a minimal cost.”
Given the Texans’ need to clear space on the depth chart, the trade return for Pierce is expected to be modest. Pierce saw his carries diminish last season with the emergence of Devin Singletary, and now faces even stiffer competition behind Mixon.
Last season, the Texans initially seemed poised to integrate Dameon Pierce as a focal point of their offense. Under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Pierce’s aggressive running style was valued. Pierce himself pledged to bring even more intensity, stating, “I don’t have good intentions, especially this year. Slowik emphasizes that, so now I have to find ways to be even angrier.”
However, as the season progressed, it was Devin Singletary who assumed the role of the primary ball carrier. Pierce’s chance at the starting job was derailed when he suffered an injury in Week 7.
This turn of events came as a surprise. Despite being only 24 years old, Pierce had shown promise as a fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2022. In his rookie season, he demonstrated his ability by rushing for 939 yards in 13 games, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. An ankle injury sidelined him for the final four games of the season, preventing him from surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
Pierce contributed four rushing touchdowns and accumulated 165 receiving yards out of the backfield, along with an additional touchdown.
Despite these past successes, Pierce’s recent season, in which he averaged only 2.9 yards per carry and played 32% of the team’s snaps, has made him a prime trade candidate.
Given the Cowboys’ need for depth in the backfield, Pierce presents a logical fit for their roster.