Who Should I Start? Jahan Dotson or Dameon Pierce

Monday, January 8, 6:30 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson concluded his disappointing second season in the NFL with just two receptions on three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 38-10 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the final game of the regular season. It was an improvement following his third zero-catch game of the year in Week 17 in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but Dotson was ultimately a big disappointment in 2023 after many fantasy experts predicted a breakout season in his second year in the league. He totaled 49 receptions on 83 targets for 518 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games, a slight step back from when he had a 35-523-7 line in 12 games as a rookie. Dotson and the rest of Washington's offense suffered from quarterback Sam Howell's struggles, and it could be an uphill battle for fantasy relevance again in 2024 with a new coaching staff coming in to replace Ron Rivera.

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.