San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Florida’s Pierce added to boost run game
HOUSTON — The Texans drafted Florida running back Dameon Pierce with the No. 107 pick in the fourth round of NFL draft on Saturday.
The rebuilding Houston franchise needed to improve its run game after recording the fewest yards per rush in team history last season, and the 5-foot-10, 218-pound rookie bolsters a position group that needed more depth entering the offseason.
Pierce is a powerful runner who also was used in the passing game, a versatility that should please newly promoted offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. Pierce recorded 100 carries for 574 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 while adding 19 catches for 216 yards and three touchdown receptions.
Rex Burkhead, an 11-year veteran, was Houston’s leading rusher in 2021 with 427 yards and three touchdowns. The Texans signed free agents Marlon Mack and Dare Ogunbowale in the offseason, and also carry Royce Freeman, Scottie Phillips and Darius Anderson under contract.
Mack, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract, joined the Texans after spending five seasons with the Colts. Mack totaled 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons before suffering a torn Achilles in the 2020 season opener, and he saw minimal action last season behind emerging star Jonathan Taylor.
Florida’s backfield used several running backs in Pierce’s college career. In four seasons, Pierce totaled 329 total carries, 1,806 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He arrives in Houston with reasonably low mileage at an offensive skill position that most often involves contact.
“I feel like with my usage rate and my productivity, that kind of fits into the NFL schemes well,” Pierce said. “That means I can put up good numbers on a few amount of carries, and in just lesser overall usage.”
Caserio trades up to get D-lineman
Texans general manager Nick Caserio executed his fourth draft-day trade, sending the team’s No. 166 and No. 207 picks to the Chicago Bears to trade up to No. 150 and select Stanford defensive lineman Thomas Booker.
The 6-4, 309-pound Booker, who played defensive end at Stanford, recorded 59 total tackles in 2021 with five tackles for loss and a sack. Booker has versatility and can play outside and inside along the defensive line, and he said the Texans have told him they’re exploring using him at 3-tech defensive tackle.
The Texans re-signed veteran Maliek Collins on a two-year, $17 million deal. Collins thrived as Houston’s primary 3-tech defensive tackle, a position that often absorbs double-teams and also holds pass-rush responsibilities.
Booker bolsters a defensive line that now holds 10 players in its position room. Coach Lovie Smith often uses an eight-man rotation for his four-man front on game days.
Oregon State TE taken in fifth round
The Texans drafted Oregon State tight end Teagan Quitoriano No. 170 overall in the fifth round.
The 6-5, 258-pound rookie joins a key position group in newly promoted offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s offense, which often uses multi-tight end packages.
Quitoriano said he visited with the Texans several times in video calls during the pre-draft process, speaking with Hamilton and new tight end coach
Tim Berbenich. The coaches told Quitoriano they like his physical play in the run game, and the Oregon native said he’s “one of the most well-rounded tight ends in this draft.”
Quitoriano recorded 19 catches, 214 yards and three touchdown receptions in 2021. He joins a Texans tight end room that has four other players under contract in Brevin Jordan, Pharaoh Brown, Antony Auclair and Paul Quessenberry.
LSU tackle Deculus picked in sixth round
Houston closed the weekend by selecting LSU offensive tackle Austin Deculus No. 205 overall in the sixth round.
The 6-5, 321-pound Deculus was a four-year starter at right tackle for LSU, a player who appeared in more games than any other in school history (61). He joins his collegiate teammate, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who the Texans picked No. 3 overall. They were both part of LSU’s 2019 national championship team.
Deculus is also another local. He graduated from Cy-Fair
High in the Houston area. He said he grew up near NRG Stadium and attended a few Texans games growing up.
“I’m beyond blessed,” Deculus said. “Being able to be with the backyard team, that’s great.”
Deculus said he is open to playing multiple positions for the Texans. The Houston coaching staff has often said they’re looking to field the best possible five linemen. But Deculus is most experienced at right tackle and joins a position group that has five other potential tackles under contract in Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Charlie Heck, Cedric Ogbuehi and Carson Green.