The New England Patriots entered Week 7 averaging a pedestrian 3.5 rushing yards per game. That's why it was refreshing to watch them run for 177 yards and one score on Sunday, but they won't play the Tennessee Titans every week. Also, the Titans lost star DT Jeffery Simmons early in the game, and that didn't help Tennessee's cause.
With that in mind, and given the current state of their running back corps, it only makes sense that they try to find some help in the trade market. And with the Houston Texans' latest loss, Dameon Pierce might be up for grabs.
The Patriots Should go Pursue Trade For Dameon Pierce
The Texans fell to 2-4 for the season and are likely to be sellers. Even if they win their next games before the deadline, they still may not have much room for Pierce, who has fallen behind Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks in the pecking order.
Pierce was expected to compete for Chubb for touches after Joe Mixon went down with an injury. Instead, he's only made two appearances this season, and one was in the blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens. So far, he's rushed ten times for 26 yards, and while that's not very efficient, the Patriots certainly need a boost.
Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson has been perhaps the most disappointing player in his class so far, and it's become painfully evident that Mike Vrabel doesn't trust him with a larger role just yet. We're well aware of Rhamondre Stevenson's ball-security issues, and with Antonio Gibson on Injured Reserve (IR), Pierce could be a solid addition to the mix for the second half of the season.
Stevenson is currently leading the Patriots in rushing yards (245), with Drake Maye closely behind him at 200. As mobile as Maye is and as much as he can make plays with his legs if needed, that's not a recipe for success, and definitely not what an old-school head coach like Mike Vrabel had in mind.
Pierce ran for over 900 rushing yards as a rookie, but he couldn't keep his foot on the gas behind the Texans' ever-struggling offensive line in the next couple of years. He should be cheap to get, and while he may not be a long-term answer, he can hold down the fort while Henderson gets ready to take a bigger role. All things considered, adding him certainly can't hurt.