<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2nwkU6_0w1r0fSO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2nwkU6_0w1r0fSO00" width="1280" height="853" ></figure><p>Shane Steichen is once again scheming up an offense that is has been an model of explosion. So far this season, the Indianapolis Colts have the most completions of 40 yards or more. They are also tied for the second with completions of 20 yards or more. Needless to say, the Colts offense has been making explosive plays and that is due in large part to third year, wide receiver, Alec Pierce.</p><p>With Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco as his quarterbacks this year, Pierce has not been denied the deep ball. In his first two years in the league, Pierce showed glimpses of explosion. However, his respective quarterback just never fed him the ball. 2024 could prove to be the breakout year that Alec Pierce has been needing with the Colts. There were many critics who thought that he would get overshadowed by Adonai Mitchell. That was until the league saw just how good he actually is.</p><h2>Alec Pierce Is On His Way to a Breakout Season</h2><h2>His Career Thus Far</h2><p>Alec Pierce was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft and was the Colts first pick in the draft. Coming out of college at Cincinnati, Pierce was profiled to be a mismatch as a deep ball threat. In his rookie season, he finished with two touchdowns on 41 receptions and 593 yards. His 14.5 yards per reception ranked 17th in the league and was in company with playmakers like Mike Evans and Amari Cooper.</p><p>After showing so much promise in his rookie year, many anticipated that his second season would be his breakout year. Unfortunately, Pierce ended up taking a step back and struggled to be consistent. He only had 32 receptions and 514 yards in year two. Going into this season, Pierce had a chip on his shoulder to perform up to his draft stock. After the Colts drafted Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many believed that Mitchell might get the edge over Pierce for more reps during games.</p><h2>His Quarterback History</h2><p>Coming into year three, Pierce has already played with six different quarterbacks. In his rookie year, he endured the carousel of quarterbacks in Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, and Nick Foles. This was also the year in which the Colts only won four games, and the offense was one of the worst in the league due to pathetic quarterback play. It is a wonder that Pierce was able to put up 14.5 yards per reception and manage almost 600 yards.</p><p>Fast forward to his second year, where Pierce played with two quarterbacks in Gardner Minshew and rookie Anthony Richardson. Both quarterbacks have drastically different playing styles, in which Minshew is more apt to take the check-down, and Richardson is more apt to take the deep shot. Pierce finished with a 16.1 yard per reception average, but his receptions and targets were both down from his rookie year. While the criticism surrounding his lack of production was warranted, the bottom line is that he just didn’t get the ball near enough.</p><h2>His Career Start to the Season</h2><p>This season, Pierce is currently leading the league in yards per reception with 28.3. He ranks 11th in receiving yards with 368 and has already earned a career best three touchdowns in one season. Needless to say, Pierce has been a home-run hitter as a receiver. Whenever he gets the ball, good things just happen. On his 17 targets, he has caught the ball 13 times. Therefore, he has shore hands and is good at making contested catches. If the Colts want to continue to be an explosive offense, they will need to rely on the speed and physicality of Alec Pierce. Only five games in, and Pierce is already on his way to putting up career numbers.</p><p><i>Main Image: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports</i></p></div></body>

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This Young Colts Wide Receiver is Silencing His Critics

Shane Steichen is once again scheming up an offense that is has been an model of explosion. So far this season, the Indianapolis Colts have the most completions of 40 yards or more. They are also tied for the second with completions of 20 yards or more. Needless to say, the Colts offense has been making explosive plays and that is due in large part to third year, wide receiver, Alec Pierce.

This Young Colts Wide Receiver is Silencing His Critics

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