The Indianapolis Colts used their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Alec Pierce, a receiver that has the potential to make big plays for Indy.
Sign or trade for a receiver is what fans and members of the media told the Indianapolis Colts all offseason. However, Indy just sat back patiently.
Fans finally got their receiver when the Colts selected Alec Pierce from Cincinnati in the second round of the Draft. He was the team’s first selection, going in the second round at No. 53 overall.
Although being a rookie, he’s likely expected to be Indy’s No. 2 receiver, after Michael Pittman Jr. There’s a chance TY Hilton could return and a healthy Parris Campbell is promising, but Pierce will likely be leaned on in his rookie season.
So what can Indianapolis’ first selection offer the offense? Big plays hopefully. That’s what Pierce was able to do at Cincinnati and that’s the strength of his skillset.
A look at the newest Colts WR @alecpierce ⬇️ #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/CHAsXmanX9
— Alexa Ross (@AlexaRossTV) April 30, 2022
What will Alec Pierce bring to the Colts?
The footage above is a good representation of Alec Pierce’s play style. He uses his 6-foot-3 frame and 40.5-inch vertical to consistently rise above defenders and attack the ball.
This should make Pierce an immediate red zone threat and a target for contested catches downfield. If he’s able to apply his game in the NFL as he did in college, he’ll have a lot of chunk plays for the Colts.
However, Pierce will also have to do a lot of growing to really dominate in the NFL. Currently, his game is kind of like a limited Mike Evans.
Pierce and Evans are similar in their ability to excel on vertical routes, outleap defenders to the high point, and come down with the ball with strong hands.
The limited aspect of the comparison is that Evans has a little bit more. Currently, that appears to be Pierce’s only strength. He hasn’t shown the ability to be an elite route runner or have a really good comeback route the way that Evans does.
Pierce also didn’t do much damage with the ball in his hands at the collegiate level either. Those are two spots that he can significantly improve in.
To be fair, Pierce was just drafted and hasn’t even had a professional workout yet. The young receiver just turned 22 years old and will be coached by the future Hall of Famer Reggie Wayne.
Alec Pierce has a good foundation to be an NFL receiver and the Colts need to build him up to make sure he excels at this level.
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