Alec Pierce breakout marketing campaign is proof to why Colts ought to create aggressive ambiance

If the Indianapolis Colts entrance workplace wants any extra convincing to create a aggressive ambiance this offseason, third-year receiver Alec Pierce’s breakout marketing campaign was a direct outcome from elevating his stage of play to earn his position as a beginning extensive receiver.

When Indianapolis chosen Pierce out of Cincinnati within the second-round of the 2022 NFL draft, the imaginative and prescient was to develop a deep risk to contribute to the offense. Pierce took a major leap in his third NFL marketing campaign and thrived taking part in in a run-heavy offense that arrange play-action deep photographs downfield.

Regardless of being restricted to only 37 catches (72nd amongst receivers) on 66 targets (sixty fourth amongst receivers), Pierce led the Colts with seven TDs and 824 receiving yards. Pierce led the NFL averaging 22.3 yards per reception, which was the second-most yards gained per reception in a single season in franchise historical past, behind Roger Carr.

As soon as the Colts witnessed Texas’ blazin’ burner Adonai Mitchell run a 4.38, 40-yard sprint inside Lucas Oil Stadium on the NFL Scouting Mix, the rookie’s ability set put his title among the many high ability place prospects on the Colts draft board. After the 2023 Massive 12 convention chief in receiving TDs fell to the second spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft, Indianapolis chosen Mitchell with the No. 52 general decide.

“Yeah I imply, that’s an incredible case,” Colts GM Chris Ballard mentioned at his end-of-season information convention. “Look, I’ll let you know a narrative. After the draft – , anytime you draft a participant at a place, there’s some uneasiness. And Alec (Pierce) felt it.”

Pierce went to Ballard’s workplace and requested what does this imply for his standing?

Ballard replied. “It means nothing. Compete.”

“He didn’t bitch,” Ballard defined. “He didn’t complain. He didn’t make excuses. He competed, and he’s freaking good. He’s precisely who we thought he was going to be. I believe there’s extra in there. I do. “Alec Pierce is a superb, wonderful soccer participant.”

Pierce was challenged and seized each second.

Apart from the dynamic backfield duo, when the Colts wanted a playmaker to come back by on essential performs, Pierce was extra dependable than some other ability participant on the roster. Pierce caught the Colts offensive play of the 12 months, securing a 60-yard missile from Richardson to attain the primary landing within the season opener. Cincinnati’s triple crown-winning receiver Ja’Marr Chase was the one participant this season with extra catches of 40-plus yards than Pierce, who made a catch of not less than 39 yards in 7 of his 16 video games performed.

Pierce has “at all times been banging the desk”, to showcase his capacity to haul in deep throws launched downfield when given the chance. In three seasons, Pierce has caught passes from six completely different quarterbacks.

“It doesn’t need to be extensive open,” Pierce mentioned in October. “If it’s one-on-one, then I can go and make the play. It simply takes constructing that belief within the quarterbacks, the coaches, simply to grasp that this isn’t only a play the place a whole lot of issues can go improper.”

Drafting Mitchell pressured Alec Pierce to compete for enjoying time and it labored. Each break up first-team reps all through nearly all of coaching camp final summer time, however Pierce finally emerged because the starter for the season opener.

“However they’re going to need to compete to get on the sphere,” Ballard mentioned. “I don’t see us taking part in a whole lot of 4 wideout stuff, so you will have to essentially earn your approach on it with that group.