Indianapolis Colts’ Playmaker Aims To Silence Critics In 2024

The Indianapolis Colts quietly boast one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL.

The group is led by Michael Pittman Jr., who re-signed with the Colts earlier this offseason. Josh Downs is currently the No. 2 receiver, and then there is incoming rookie Adonai Mitchell, who could very well end up supplanting Downs on the depth chart relatively soon.

Because of that impressive trio, people tend to forget about Alec Pierce, Indianapolis’ 2022 second-round pick who has not lived up to expectations thus far.

That’s largely due to the fact that Pierce has failed to display versatility thus far, only really representing a deep threat and not much else over the course of his first two seasons.

But Pierce wants to prove everyone that he is more than just a downfield burner in 2024.

“I think there’s a lot more to my game,” Pierce said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN . “I just want to have the chance to be able to showcase that.”

Could Alec Pierce see an uptick in production this coming season?

Pierce caught 32 passes for 514 yards and a couple of touchdowns last season.

Perhaps that was due to the fact that Gardner Minshew—not known for his arm strength—quarterbacked the Colts for most of 2023 with Anthony Richardson out with an injury.

With Richardson and his cannon for an arm back under center in 2024, Pierce could be in for a more productive campaign this time around.

Of course, Pierce will have to compete in a crowded wide receiver room.

“High tides raise all ships,” Pierce said. “You’re going to get better from your competition. So, the competitive spirit, that’s what you’ve got to work on.”

The 24-year-old made no progress last season. As a matter of fact, one can argue that he regressed, as he caught 41 passes for 593 yards and a pair of scores during his rookie campaign in 2022.

That being said, Pierce did average 16.1 yards per catch this past year, so with Richardson firing the ball his way, there is hope that the University of Cincinnati product could take a step forward come September.

We’ll see if Pierce is able to separate himself from the pack at all in training camp and preseason.

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