The Las Vegas Raiders have been grappling with a persistent headache at running back, and Zamir White’s story reads like a rollercoaster that’s careening off the tracks. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, White spent his early days buried on the depth chart behind star Josh Jacobs. In his first 27 games, he managed just 37 carries—never more than four in a single outing—leaving fans wondering if he’d ever get a real shot.
That all changed late in the 2023 season when Jacobs went down with an injury. White exploded onto the scene, racking up 84 rushes for 397 yards and a touchdown, plus nine receptions for 60 yards, across the final four games. With Jacobs departing in free agency, the Raiders handed White the starting reins, hoping he’d seize the throne.
But 2024 was a nightmare. White couldn’t recapture that magic, and injuries ravaged the latter half of the campaign. A fresh start under Pete Carroll in 2025 seemed promising, but it’s been anything but—White has been a healthy scratch since Week 5, sidelined and forgotten. Now, in the final year of his rookie deal, the end feels inevitable. Unless disaster strikes or his contract is a bargain-basement steal, White’s days in silver and black are numbered.
Enter a golden opportunity: The Raiders should pounce on former Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce, who hit the waiver wire on Thursday. Drafted just 15 picks ahead of White in that same 2022 fourth round, Pierce is a tantalizing upgrade who’s proven his worth time and again. At only 25, he’s got youth on his side and a track record that screams versatility—making him the ideal long-term partner for breakout star Ashton Jeanty, outshining aging vet Raheem Mostert.
Pierce burst into the league as a rookie phenom, churning out 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns despite missing the season’s final four games. He added 30 catches for 165 yards and another score, showcasing his dual-threat prowess and workhorse potential for a Texans team desperate for playmakers.
The arrival of Devin Singletary in 2023 dialed back his role, slashing his offensive snaps from 64% to 32%. Yet Pierce adapted seamlessly, delivering 517 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in a supporting gig—proving he thrives even when not the focal point.
Last season brought Joe Mixon as the new bellcow, halving Pierce’s snaps again to 16%. Still, he squeezed out 295 all-purpose yards and two scores, while evolving into a special teams asset with a whopping 37.7 yards per kick return and more snaps than ever in that phase.
This year? Houston’s backfield overhaul with Nick Chubb and Woody Marks left Pierce on the fringes, with a mere 10 carries for 26 yards. The writing was on the wall, and his Texans tenure ended abruptly. But don’t mistake reduced stats for regression—this guy’s a chameleon, excelling as a lead back, backup, or special teams sparkplug.
Critics might point to his rookie fumbles, but Pierce has ironed that out, coughing up the ball just once in his last 210 touches. Compared to White’s fading star, Pierce offers a low-risk, high-reward flyer for a Raiders squad mired in misery. He could step up if Jeanty falters or seamlessly slot in as a multifaceted complement.
Best of all, Pierce won’t break the bank. If it flops, it’s a harmless swing and miss. But if it clicks? Vegas just solved their running back riddle with a dynamic talent ready to revitalize the ground game. The clock’s ticking—claim him now or regret it later.