Who Should I Start? Miles Sanders or Dameon Pierce

Sunday, January 7, 5:29 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders carried the ball three times for 18 yards and was not targeted in a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. It marks a fitting end for a disappointing season for Sanders, who was signed to a four-year, $25.4 million contract last offseason but lost his job to Chuba Hubbard halfway through the year. He has a dead cap value of $11 million so he's likely to be back with the Panthers in 2024, although in what capacity remains to be seen.

Thursday, May 2, 4:48 PM

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce had a notable rookie campaign after being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In just 13 games before being sidelined with injuries, he racked up 939 yards and four touchdowns on 220 carries and caught 30 passes for 165 yards and one score. However, his role, production, and efficiency declined in 2023 after the arrival of Devin Singletary, as he posted just 517 total yards and rushed for 2.9 yards per carry. Singletary is now gone, but the team traded for former Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon. Despite this, Texans general manager Nick Caserio spoke highly of Pierce in a recent media availability. "He is going to be a big part of what we're doing. Watching him move on the field, he looks pretty good. Everybody's looking forward to the opportunity in front of them; you can't worry about what's happened in the past," Caserio said. "He's got as good an attitude as anyone on the team. We're glad DP is here." While you never know whether a head coach or general manager is being honest in these situations, Caserio's comments can only help his fantasy stock. Fantasy managers should go into the season with low expectations for Pierce, but he should at least be viewed as a high-end handcuff running back in what projects to be one of the league's best offenses.