3 Patriots Trade Targets Heading Into the NFL Draft

3. Dameon Pierece, RB, Houston Texans

The Patriots' plan heading into the draft and for the rest of the offseason should be to significantly improve on offense. New England's defense (No. 9 in DVOA) was the main reason this team was even competitive in 2023, as the offense sputtered time and time again.

A big-time addition at wide receiver would certainly improve this unit. However, the Pats should consider any playmaker who could help move the ball and assist a rookie under center.

Given this, Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce stands out as a target.

Pierce finds himself in trade speculation after Houston's busy offseason, which included acquiring Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon to gear up for a possible Super Bowl run. Considering the Texans made this move after Pierce was set to be the lead guy following Devin Singletary's exit, it's clear the team has lost some faith in him.

That presents an opportunity for the Pats to form a strong duo in their backfield. While Rhamondre Stevenson is entrenched as the top RB, he has two seasons with 12 games played in three years. He also took a step back in 2023 regardless of his injury issues, posting only 619 yards after a 1,040-yard campaign in 2022.

Pierce is the kind of bruising, workhorse runner who'd complement the more dual-threat Stevenson. Houston fed him as a rookie, giving Pierce 220 attempts on the ground, which he turned into a solid 939 yards and four TDs. His 27 broken tackles and 506 yards after contact that season are more than Stevenson's ever recorded in either category, showcasing his strong running style.

New England opted for a thunder and lightning approach with Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott last season, to underwhelming results. Replacing Elliott with Pierce would put this group in a great position for a major bounce after being a bottom-10 unit in 2023.

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