After trading back with the Minnesota Vikings, the Indianapolis Colts finally make their first selection of the 2022 NFL draft and selected wide receiver Alec Pierce out of Cincinnati.
Chris Ballard needed to find a player that can help make an impact on the upcoming season and he finds that in Pierce. He can come into training camp and compete for the starting spot opposite Michael Pittman Jr. and has a pathway to see a significant amount of snaps in year one with the team.
He’s a big-bodied receiver that can help stretch the ball down the field on the boundary. The 6’3″ 211-pound draft prospect out of Cincinnati ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He’s built to play on the boundary and does a solid job at winning contested catches. He’s similar to Pittman Jr. as he can be a reliable receiver for Matt Ryan to trust in 50/50 situations.
The best part is that he fits the Colts’ culture within the offense. He’s a physical player that will battle to win his reps while using his size and strength to his advantage. He can help out Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines with his run blocking as well in the screen game for Ryan.
He will need to work on his route running to become a better threat as a receiver but with other young players in the receiving corps, he’s not pressed to make it happen right away.
He will likely battle with Mike Strachan, Dezmon Patmon and Ashton Dulin for snaps in training camp. He has the talent to beat them out and be the opening day starter come September.
It will be dependent on how quickly he can pick up the offensive scheme over the summer and if he can develop some chemistry with Matt Ryan. Even if it does take some time I do expect he will play a role in the offense by the midpoint of the season.
Sometimes for rookies, it is all about the landing spot for the players to find success in their first season and Pierce has been presented with that opportunity.
The No. 53 selection of the 2022 NFL draft had to be patient to hear his name called but he has an opportunity to see just as much playing time as some of his peers at the position that got selected in the first round. It will be interesting to see if Pierce can seize the opportunity in front of him.