The Indianapolis Colts selected eight players in the 2022 NFL Draft and here are immediate grades for each of Indy’s selections.
After much anticipation, the three days of the 2022 NFL Draft are over. 262 players were selected and teams have already begun signing undrafted free agents.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted eight players, four on offense and four on defense. They have also already signed several undrafted free agents.
Overall, the Colts had a really good draft. They were able to address several positions of need, build depth, and bring in players that could be immediate contributors and long-term impact players.
Let’s go through all eight selections and grade the pick for Indianapolis.
Meet the 2022 #ColtsDraft class. pic.twitter.com/kzbffaH1Ss
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 1, 2022
Colts draft WR Alec Pierce at No. 53: B+
Alec Pierce was Indy’s first selection and will fulfill a need for more receivers. While he was a good and necessary pick for Indianapolis, the selection receives a B+ for a few reasons.
The good, Pierce is a big and athletic receiver that should be another consistent target in Indy’s offense. He’s 6-foot-3 and runs a 4.41 40-yard dash with a 40.5 inch-vertical.
That shows itself on Pierce’s college tape that is filled with downfield jump balls. Pierce proved himself as a receiver that can make contested catches and hopefully that carries over.
What’s keeping the selection from being in the A range? Well, Pierce doesn’t provide the Colts with much variety in the styles of the presumed top two receivers.
Like Pierce, Indy’s top receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., is a big-bodied possession receiver. The spectacular part of Pierce’s game is his ability to high point balls over defenders.
He didn’t show much elite route running or yards after catch ability like a prospect like Skyy Moore, who went one spot after Pierce was selected.
Ideally, Moore and Pittman seemed like a great pairing just because of the differences in skillset. However, Pierce was still a great pick for Indianapolis and if he can bring his contested deep ball catching ability to the league, it would greatly benefit Indy’s offense.