Seahawks Draft Profile: Dameon Pierce

With the 2022 NFL Draft set to kick off in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 28, the Seahawks may have an opportunity to kickstart a brand new period for the franchise with eight picks, together with a top-10 choose and 4 picks complete within the first three rounds.

Over the subsequent month main as much as draft weekend, the AllSeahawks writing employees will dish out in-depth profiles on quite a few prospects who could possibly be targets on Seattle’s large board.

Subsequent up within the collection, Seattle has all the time been enamored by robust, bruising operating backs. May Florida’s Dameon Pierce be subsequent in line behind the likes of Marshawn Lynch, Thomas Rawls, and Chris Carson?

Background

Beginning all 4 years at Bainbridge Excessive Faculty in Georgia, Pierce tallied 6,779 dashing yards and 92 mixed touchdowns on the prep stage, together with scoring 32 dashing touchdowns as a senior. He ended his highschool profession as one of many high 10 rushers in Georgia historical past, surpassing former Heisman Trophy winner Hershel Walker. Extremely recruited, he selected to decide to Florida over gives from powerhouses Alabama, Florida State, Miami, and Georgia. Perennially caught in a backfield-by-committee scenario for the Gators, he by no means rushed for greater than 574 yards in any of his 4 collegiate seasons, however he averaged a wholesome 5.5 yards per carry and scored 21 mixed touchdowns in 2020 and 2021.

Strengths

A punishing, downhill runner who runs with rage, Pierce fortunately takes unlucky defenders for a free experience on the freight practice, exhibiting top-tier contact steadiness and the flexibility to energy via arm tackles in bunches. On the level of contact, he retains his highly effective pistons churning to bulldoze his strategy to further yardage and end with authority, hardly ever failing to fall ahead when pushing the pile. He is an absolute pressure in brief yardage and aim line conditions.

Displaying shocking wiggle, acceleration, and burst at 215-plus kilos in one-on-one conditions pitted in opposition to linebackers, safeties, and corners on the subsequent stage, Pierce is a spring-loaded runner with a knack for chopping on a dime and leaving tacklers greedy for air or consuming a piece of grass with their facemask. In contrast to some energy backs, he has the flexibility to create when performs break down via means apart from decreasing his shoulder and appears comfy operating to the perimeter in addition to between the tackles.

Although he did not obtain many targets within the passing recreation for the Gators, Pierce showcased dependable fingers catching 36 passes and scoring 4 touchdowns out of the backfield in his last two seasons on campus. Whereas he could be delayed getting his fingers into defenders, he is additionally a high quality move protector who brings his exhausting hat to work stepping up and selecting up blitzes to guard his quarterback.

Away from his bodily traits, Pierce is a participant that teammates gravitate to and when he makes issues occur on the sector, his aggressive nature, contagious power, and fervour for the sport rub off on these round him. He can be a wonderful character addition for any locker room.

Weaknesses

Extra fast than quick, Pierce ran a decent 4.59-second 40-yard sprint on the mix and whereas he broke free for a couple of lengthy runs throughout his time in Gainesville, he does not have the additional gear to rack up chunk performs in bulk. He is extra more likely to go station to station than tote the rock cross nation, as he can have a tough time creating separation from oncoming corners and safeties in pursuit.

As a runner, Pierce’s aggressive fashion could be a detriment and he struggles at occasions with impatience, wanting to get downhill earlier than his blocks materialize in entrance of him and a crease presents itself. There could also be a slight studying curve for him studying and reacting to blocks on below heart runs, as he primarily took handoffs out of shotgun in Florida’s unfold assault.

Although this could possibly be seen as a constructive as a consequence of lack of damage and tear, Pierce by no means had an opportunity to show whether or not he could possibly be a characteristic again or not on the faculty stage. Registering double-digit carries in solely 9 video games in 4 seasons for the Gators, he didn’t emerge because the bell cow again in a crowded operating again group, casting questions on whether or not or not he’ll be capable of deal with a extra intensive workload within the NFL.

Slot in Seattle

Whereas Seattle did re-sign Rashaad Penny in March, questions revolving round Chris Carson’s well being coming off neck surgical procedure might make operating again an even bigger want than anticipated heading into the draft. With Penny and Carson each slated to be free brokers subsequent 12 months, discovering a characteristic again for the long run could also be prioritized in a deep draft on the place.

Almost definitely, the Seahawks might be in search of a tough-minded, bodily runner who emulates Carson and could be chosen on day three. Constructed with a stocky, compact body and possessing explosive athletic traits, Pierce’s movie gives loads of similarities stylistically and if he lasts till choose No. 72 or later, there is a sturdy probability he might be excessive on the staff’s large board.

Within the quick time period, relying on Carson’s well being, Pierce might battle in opposition to Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas for backfield work immediately whereas additionally seeing some work on particular groups. In 2023 and past, with recent legs in comparison with most backs getting into the league, it is potential Seattle might flip to him as a starter and he might emerge as one of many larger gems on this class.

Earlier Seahawks NFL Draft Profiles

Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina | Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa | Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State | Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU | Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati | Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA | Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State | Trevor Penning, T, Northern Iowa | Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan | Abraham Lucas, T, Washington State | Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State | Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota | Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina | Cade Otton, TE, Washington | Rasheed Walker, T, Penn State | Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State | Daniel Faalale, T, Minnesota