Trade decision that won’t surprise fans.
Third-year WR Alec Pierce’s stellar season was a direct result of him improving his game to earn his spot as a starting wide receiver, if the Indianapolis Colts head staff needed any more persuasion to foster a competitive environment this summer.
The goal was to create a deep threat who could contribute to the offense when Indianapolis selected Pierce from Cincinnati in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. Playing in a run-heavy offense that created play-action deep shots downfield, Pierce made a huge breakthrough in his third NFL season.
Pierce led the Colts with seven touchdowns and 824 receiving yards despite only managing 37 catches (72nd among receivers) on 66 targets (64th among receivers). With an average of 22.3 yards per reception, Pierce led the NFL and, after Roger Carr, had the second-highest number of yards per reception in a single season in the history of the team. Colts make another baffling trade decision that won’t surprise fans.
The rookie’s skill set placed him among the top skill position candidates on the Colts selection board after the team saw Texas’ blazin’ burner Adonai Mitchell run a 4.38, 40-yard dash inside Lucas Oil Stadium during the NFL Scouting Combine. Indianapolis selected Mitchell with the No. 52 overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft after the 2023 Big 12 conference leader in receiving touchdowns was selected in the second round.
During his season-ending press conference, Colts general manager Chris Ballard stated, “Yeah, I mean, that’s a great case.” “Look, let me share a story with you. Following the draft, there is always some apprehension whenever a player is selected at a position. Alec Pierce also sensed it.
Pierce asked Ballard what this meant for his position when he visited his office.
Ballard answered. “It has no meaning. Compete.
“He wasn’t a bitch,” Ballard clarified. He didn’t grumble. He offered no justifications. He is incredibly talented, and he competed. He is precisely who we anticipated him to be. I believe it contains more. Yes, I do.Alec Pierce is an absolutely outstanding football player.
Pierce fought and took advantage of every opportunity.
Pierce was the most dependable skill player on the team, aside from the dynamic backfield combo, when the Colts needed a playmaker to step up on crucial plays. Pierce secured a 60-yard pass from Richardson to score the first touchdown in the season opener, which was the Colts’ offensive play of the year. Pierce made a reception of at least 39 yards in seven of his 16 games played this season, making him the only person to have more catches of 40 yards or more than Cincinnati’s triple crown-winning receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
In order to demonstrate his ability to catch deep passes that are hurled downfield when given the chance, Pierce has “always been banging the table.” Pierce has caught passes from six different quarterbacks in three seasons.
In October, Pierce stated, “It doesn’t have to be wide open.” “I can go and make the play if it’s one-on-one. Building trust with the coaches and quarterbacks is all that is necessary to realize that this is more than just a play where a lot of things can go wrong.
Alec Pierce had to contend for playing time when Mitchell was drafted, and it worked. Despite splitting first-team reps for most of last summer’s training camp, Pierce ended up starting for the first game of the season.
Ballard remarked, “But they will have to compete to get on the field.” You will need to prove yourself with that group because I don’t see us playing a lot of four wideout things.
