Who Should I Start? Dameon Pierce or Devin Neal

Monday, September 8, 12:59 PM

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce totaled five yards on his three carries in Sunday's 14-9 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He failed to bring in his lone target. Veteran Nick Chubb was the only Houston rusher to see more than three carries (13), and Pierce technically saw the second-most of his fellow RBs. However, rookie Woody Marks also saw three attempts, and Dare Ogunbowale handled two of his own. It was a rough day for Houston's offense overall, as they were blanked in the second half by a hungry Rams' defense. Still, Chubb was the clear-cut Texans RB1 in this outing, and Pierce's current touch load wouldn't be enough to sustain fantasy value. Houston will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader in Week 2. We'll see if Pierce can carve out a larger role then.

Saturday, August 30, 10:55 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal is listed fourth on the team's depth chart, but still made the most of his limited preseason opportunities. The sixth-round pick out of Kansas was sidelined with a hamstring injury for a large chunk of training camp, preventing him from winning the backup job to Alvin Kamara. Kendre Miller earned that role, relegating Neal to fight for touches with converted wide receiver and special teams player Velus Jones Jr. Neal impressed head coach Kellen Moore and backup quarterback Tyler Shough in his lone preseason appearance (seven touches for 30 yards), and the team parted ways with Clyde Edwards-Helaire shortly after. It will take an injury or two for Neal to receive meaningful touches on what could be the league's worst offense. He doesn't need to be drafted in standard-sized redraft leagues this season.