For the second day in a row, the Denver Broncos have had a sensible free-agent signing potentially smack them right in the face.
The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver Brandin Cooks, a player the Broncos could add to an inexperienced receiving corps to help with their push for a division title and perhaps much more. On Thursday, the Houston Texans made a similar move.
Ahead of their game on Thursday Night Football, the Texans released running back Dameon Pierce. That adds a 25-year-old running back to the free-agent market, and the Broncos should be keeping tabs.
The Texans took Pierce in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Florida and it quickly looked like he would become the team's running back of the future. He had his best season that year, rushing for 939 yards and four touchdowns.
But he hit a wall after that. Since that season, he has rushed for a total of just 735 yards and this season, he has played in only four games and carried the ball 10 times. It was clear that he fell out of favor in Houston, but he's young and should have plenty of carries still in him.
The Broncos, who have likely lost J.K. Dobbins for the remainder of this season, could use another running back. There are some options available, but Pierce may be at the top of that list.
The Broncos have RJ Harvey, a rookie, in front of Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, who are essentially the same player. Smaller scatbacks who can provide a change of pace and help out in the passing game. Pierce could be the grinder and short-yardage back that this team is going to need as this season goes on.
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The Broncos should put their waiver claim in for Pierce now, if they have not done so already.
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