Texans' Dameon Pierce Sees Spike in 'Madden 24' Rating
The Houston Texans have won a grand total of 11 games over the last three seasons. One of the reasons that there's confidence that the tide will begin to turn in Houston is the young core that general manager Nick Caserio has begun to assemble, of which second-year running back Dameon Pierce is a major part of.
After being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Florida, Pierce rushed for 939 yards in his rookie season, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. While mostly unknown a year ago, Pierce is now considered one of the top young running backs in the sport.
With that in mind, EA Sports has begun to unveil ratings for "Madden NFL 24" this week, with the game slated to be released on Aug. 15. Pierce's rating to open the 2023 season will be an 83. That ties him with Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 17th best mark among running backs. Pierce's rating tops other talented young running backs, such as Breece Hall of the New York Jets (82), Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons (81) and Rhamondre Stevenson (80) of the New England Patriots.
As far as specific skills, Pierce is the fifth-highest rated running back in terms of his ability to break tackles at 93:
Additionally, new Texans' running back Devin Singletary received a rating of an 80. Singletary signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal to join Houston this offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Buffalo Bills. He should provide a nice change-of-pace from Pierce's bruising style.
No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud will likely need to lean on his running game quite a bit in his rookie season, as veteran Robert Woods is his highest-rated receiver at 77. However, tight end Dalton Schultz is an 83, and could become the first-year quarterback's security blanket after being signed away from the Dallas Cowboys this past offseason.
Stroud's rating -- along with those of all other quarterbacks -- have yet to be unveiled.
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