Breakout campaign from Alec Pierce is evidence to why Colts should create more competitive atmosphere

“Yeah I mean, that’s a great case,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said at his end-of-season news conference. “Look, I’ll tell you a story. After the draft – you know, anytime you draft a player at a position, there’s some uneasiness. And Alec (Pierce) felt it.”

If the Indianapolis Colts front office needs any more convincing to create a competitive atmosphere this offseason, third-year receiver Alec Pierce’s breakout campaign was a direct result from elevating his level of play to earn his role as a starting wide receiver.

When Indianapolis selected Pierce out of Cincinnati in the second-round of the 2022 NFL draft, the vision was to develop a deep threat to contribute to the offense. Pierce took a significant leap in his third NFL campaign and thrived playing in a run-heavy offense that set up play-action deep shots downfield.

Despite being limited to just 37 catches (72nd among receivers) on 66 targets (64th among 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 history, behind Roger Carr.

Once the Colts witnessed Texas’ blazin’ burner Adonai Mitchell run a 4.38, 40-yard dash inside Lucas Oil Stadium at the NFL Scouting Combine, the rookie’s skill set put his name among the top skill position prospects on the Colts draft board. After the 2023 Big 12 conference leader in receiving TDs fell to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Indianapolis selected Mitchell with the No. 52 overall pick.

“Yeah I mean, that’s a great case,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said at his end-of-season news conference. “Look, I’ll tell you a story. After the draft – you know, anytime you draft a player at a position, there’s some uneasiness. And Alec (Pierce) felt it.”

Pierce went to Ballard’s office and asked what does this mean for his status?

Ballard replied. “It means nothing. Compete.”

“He didn’t bitch,” Ballard explained. “He didn’t complain. He didn’t make excuses. He competed, and he is freaking good. He’s exactly who we thought he was going to be. I think there’s more in there. I do. “Alec Pierce is an excellent, excellent football player.”

Pierce was challenged and seized every moment.

Aside from the dynamic backfield duo, when the Colts needed a playmaker to come through on critical plays, Pierce was more reliable than any other skill player on the roster. Pierce caught the Colts offensive play of the year, securing a 60-yard missile from Richardson to score the first touchdown in the season opener. Cincinnati’s triple crown-winning receiver Ja’Marr Chase was the only player this season with more catches of 40-plus yards than Pierce, who made a catch of at least 39 yards in 7 of his 16 games played.

Pierce has “always been banging the table”, to showcase his ability to haul in deep throws launched downfield when given the opportunity. In three seasons, Pierce has caught passes from six different quarterbacks.

“It doesn’t have to be wide open,” Pierce said in October. “If it’s one-on-one, then I can go and make the play. It just takes building that trust in the quarterbacks, the coaches, just to understand that this is not just a play where a lot of things can go wrong.”

Drafting Mitchell forced Alec Pierce to compete for playing time and it worked. Both split first-team reps throughout the majority of training camp last summer, but Pierce ultimately emerged as the starter for the season opener.

“But they are going to have to compete to get on the field,” Ballard said. “I don’t see us playing a lot of four wideout stuff, so you are going to have to really earn your way on it with that group.