Colts rookie Alec Pierce is gaining notoriety around the league before his first season

Jun 7, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches a pass during minicamp at the Colts practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches a pass during minicamp at the Colts practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alec Pierce, the top pick for the Indianapolis Colts, is becoming a hot name to watch as he prepares for his first season in the NFL.

After failing to address the wide receiver position all offseason, the Indianapolis Colts used their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Alec Pierce, a wide receiver that played college football at Cincinnati. Pierce is a big-bodied receiver with impressive athleticism and should bring an explosive element that has been missing from Indy’s passing game.

While Pierce was impressive in college, 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, he was ultimately drafted in the second round and was the 12th receiver selected. However, there’s a lot of belief that Pierce is primed to have the best rookie season.

Earlier in the offseason, Louis Riddick made an early bold prediction that Alec Pierce would win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Recently, Pierce was named as a potential fantasy football steal. Now, Pierce has found his name in league headlines again.

Maurice Moton from Bleacher Report recently made nine bold predictions for the 2022 NFL season and one of those bold predictions was that Alec Pierce would win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

https://twitter.com/colts/status/1545477517972324352?s=21&t=TPxovegU3HgmGQzFTZdhaA

Rookie of the Year campaign gaining steam for Alec Pierce

Moton joins Riddick and a host of Colts fans that believe Pierce will win Offensive Rookie of the Year. But why? What is it that people see in the 12th receiver selected that makes them believe a big rookie season is coming?

For Moton, he explains that Pierce may have one of the best quarterback situations for rookie receivers, as well as a real opportunity to contribute. Moton also argues that Pierce’s combination of size and athleticism gives him “the physical tools to make a strong statement right out of college.”

All fair points. The only established receiver in the Colts offense is Michael Pittman Jr. That means Pierce has a real chance to carve out a role as the No. 2 wideout for Indy. With the majority of defensive attention likely going to Jonathan Taylor, Pierce should have a lot of one-on-one opportunities to showcase his speed and contested-catch ability.

If Alec Pierce can build a rapport with Matt Ryan in camp and early in the season, he can help drastically improve Indy’s passing offense and also have a real chance to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.