How bad was the Houston Texans’ rushing attack in 2023? Outside of Devin Singletary, the three other running backs averaged less than 3.2 yards per attempt.
Houston might have won the AFC South, but it was primarily due to the heroics of rookie sensation C.J. Stroud. Sure, Singletary rushed for nearly 900 yards, but those were the expected numbers of the No. 2 runner in Bobby Slowik’s offense, not the leading man.
While the Texans aren’t ready to pull the plug on Dameon Pierce entering Year 3, but they’re not turning to him as the leading rusher. Instead, Houston added Pro Bowler Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a seventh-round pick following the start of free agency.
Mixon spent seven seasons with the Bengals after being drafted out of Oklahoma in 2017. Seven years feels like an eternity for the lifespan of running backs these days, yet Houston believes that Mixon is only entering his prime, as evident by the recent three-year, $27 million extension signed this offseason.
Pierce should add value as a third-down runner in short-yardage situations. The Texans also drafted speedster Jawhar Jordan out of Louisville to enhance the special team’s unit. It’s not the most eye-popping trio, but the Texans see upside in both Jordan and Pierce, especially the latter with another season under his belt in the zone-based offensive approach.
ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2024 projections, including ranking every running back room in the NFL. Where do the Texans’ running backs rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 11: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the fourth quarter a game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman
Cincinnati Bengals
Colts running back Zack Moss (21) goes up against Bengals corner back Chidobe Awuzie (22) during the Bengals vs. Colts game at Paycor Stadium on Sunday December 10, 2023. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans
Las Vegas Raiders
Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) gains yardage against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Dylan Laube
Los Angeles Chargers
Sep 20, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) runs with the ball as Houston Texans outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett (57) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Isaiah Spiller, Kimani Vidal
Denver Broncos
Sep 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) prepares to jump over Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens (36) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime
New York Giants
Dec 31, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary (21) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
Carolina Panthers
Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) with the ball as Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman (53) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Rashaad Penny
Cleveland Browns
Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32) defends during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines, D’Onta Foreman
Minnesota Vikings
Sept 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) points to the sky as he celebrates scoring a touchdown with fans against Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA Today Sports
Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) finds a hole at the line of scrimmage.
James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
dJan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) fends off Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Chase Edmonds, Sean Tucker
Tennessee Titans
Dec 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs past Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) for a 11-yard touchdown during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Hassan Haskins
Arizona Cardinals
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, Emari Demercado
Houston Texans
Nov 12, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Jawhar Jordan
New England Patriots
Nov 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) breaks out for a 1st down run against the New York Giants in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, Jamycal Hasty
Chicago Bears
(Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer
Kansas City Chiefs
Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball as Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (6) defends in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Keaontay Ingram, Deneric Prince
Los Angeles Rams
Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) reacts after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Boston Scott
Jacksonville Jaguars
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 01: Travis Etienne Jr. #1 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rushes for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson, Keilan Robinson
Washington Commanders
Oct 2, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) scores a touchdown on a run as Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr., Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols
Green Bay Packers
(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon, MarShawn Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) rushes against Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin
New Orleans Saints
Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is defended by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney (20) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims
Miami Dolphins
Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs with the football for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Indianapolis Colts
Sep 11, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
Baltimore Ravens
Oct 30, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali
Philadelphia Eagles
(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Tyrion Davis-Price
New York Jets
oJan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
Seattle Seahawks
Dec 24, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, George Holani
Atlanta Falcons
(John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan, Avery Williams
Detroit Lions
Lions running back David Montgomery runs against 49ers during the first half of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
San Francisco 49ers
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) looks for a touchdown signal in the third quarter of a wild card game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Officials called him short of the goal line. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo