Who Should I Start? Zack Moss or Dameon Pierce

Monday, April 29, 11:40 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss is expected to have a large role in 2024 after the team opted not to select any competition in the NFL Draft. Cincinnati signed Moss during free agency, shortly before trading Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans. This series of moves made it seem like the Bengals could upgrade their backfield in the draft, but that wasn't the case. Instead, it appears Moss will be Cincinnati's primary running back, barring a surprise signing or trade. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic indicates that Moss has a leg up over Chase Brown heading into the summer, and the former Indianapolis Colt is also viewed as the Bengals' preferred option on third down. Such a favorable outlook (combined with his 70.4 scrimmage yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game last season) puts him in the low-end RB2 range for redraft fantasy football, though his draft position could slip if Brown has a strong camp.

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.