3 reasons Alec Pierce will thrive with Anthony Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts have a new quarterback in Anthony Richardson, and wide receiver Alec Pierce should be excited about what Richardson can bring.

This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts finally secured a young and talented first-round quarterback, something the team hasn’t had since Andrew Luck. Selecting Anthony Richardson with the fourth-overall pick gives Indy a dynamic quarterback that will helpfully turn the offense around.

Something else the Colts went a step further to securing this offseason is a competent set of weapons. With Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce returning, Indy drafted wide receiver Josh Downs, and added another tight end to its deep tight end room. While the offense has several promising weapons, Alec Pierce is an intriguing name to watch.

Not only will he be entering his second season in the NFL, with a year-two leap expected, but Pierce is the kind of receiver that should thrive with Anthony Richardson. Here are three reasons why.

3. Anthony Richardson has a big arm

One of Richardson’s best traits is his arm. He has a strong arm that can causally uncork deep throws, something the Colts didn’t have much of last season. However, it’s safe to assume that Richardson will bring his big throws to the NFL, especially with Shane Steichen as his head coach.

Pierce has to love that. All throughout his time at Cincinnati, and during his first season in Indianapolis, Pierce has showcased that he’s a deep threat. Last season, he had the most yards per catch for the Colts with 14.5. However, due to the inconsistencies of the offense, Pierce wasn’t consistently given those deep shots.

That should change with Anthony Richardson. Alec Pierce should now be able to get well downfield and receive accurate throws from Richardson, providing the offense with some explosiveness.

2. Anthony Richardson will help Alec Pierce see 1-on-1 coverage

This will benefit all of the receivers, and Pierce should certainly capitalize. One of the benefits of having a quarterback that can use their legs as effectively as Richardson can is the defenses that the offense will see. With Richardson being a running threat, defenses will simply have to honor that.

That will especially be the case with Jonathan Taylor in the backfield as well. With Anthony Richardson at quarterback and Jonathan Taylor at running back, Indy will have two elite runners that defenses will have to stack the box to try and contain. With so many defenders in the box, the receivers are going to get a ton of 1-on-1 looks.

Unless opposing defenses want to be ran all over, Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. will often be left in single coverage. Pierce is the kind of receiver that thrives when only one person is focused on him. He’s fast, big, can jump, and can also pull down contested catches.

Expect Shane Steichen to draw up a ton of RPOs or play-action plays where Pierce can exploit a 1-on-1 matchup. Whether it’s taking the top off the defense for a deep catch, or taking a quick slant and picking up a ton of yards after the catch, Richardson will help Pierce see favorable coverages.

1. Anthony Richardson will give Alec Pierce a lot of chances

It’s often said that ignorance is bliss. That can be applied to rookie quarterbacks in a way. Oftentimes, young QBs make foolish plays because they simply don’t know any better. However, that youthful ignorance or irrational confidence can often lead to great things. This is all to say that Richardson will probably throw a lot of balls up for Pierce to go get.

The good news is, Pierce will actually go get them. If it’s one thing that Alec Pierce has proven from his college career and his one season in the NFL, it’s that he has no problem going up over a defender to make a catch. Starting in training camp and all throughout his rookie season, Pierce Mossed several defenders.

So when Anthony Richardson is running around behind the line of scrimmage and makes the kind of ill-advised rookie throw that makes your heart stop, downfield to Pierce, don’t be surprised when Pierce comes down with it. That will only give Richardson the confidence to give Pierce even more opportunities.

Eventually, the throws will no longer be ill-advised, and Alec Pierce will be dunking all over NFL defenders. If that happens, the Colts will have a fun and productive offense, something they desperately need.

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