INDIANAPOLIS – After trading back in the 2nd round, the Colts addressed their biggest immediate need in 2022.
With the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Colts took Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce in Round Two.
Here are 3 takeaways on Pierce:
Alec Pierce Offers Size/Seed
At 6-3, 211 pounds, Alec Pierce added to up impressive frame at the wide receiver position with a 4.41 40-yard dash at the Combine. Pierce had 1,851 receiving yards in 45 career games (30 starts). He had 8 touchdowns, while averaging 17.5 yards per catch. Pierce is known for his high-jumping ability and it showed with his frequent wins in 1-on-1 chances. Pierce, a team captain on Cincinnati’s playoff team, brings some toughens to the wide receiver position, as a former defender who also excelled on special teams early in his collegiate career. Unlike some of the other wideouts in this range, Pierce should bring a higher floor to a position group that needs early impact.
Biggest Immediate Need Gets Attention
The biggest immediate need on the Colts roster was wide receiver. Proven receiving play is hardly abundant in Indy right now, Pierce should/could be looking at some early playing time. Certainly, the opportunity will be there to earn that. Reggie Wayne gets an investment to work with in his first year on the job. Besides Michael Pittman, no other wideout job is anywhere close to being locked in for Indy. Plus with how wide receivers are being paid (and traded) in the NFL right now, hitting on this position in the draft takes on an even bigger emphasis.
Colts Add Another Day 2 Pick
The Colts entered the 2022 Draft with the worst/least draft capital of the Chris Ballard era. So trading back was always a likely move. They did that by trading No. 42 overall, moving 11 further back into Round 2. In trading with the Minnesota Vikings, the Colts added a 3rd rounder, giving them 3 picks in the first 80 selections. With how Ballard has operated in Rounds 2 and 3 in his tenure, you can see why he wanted to get one more dart in that range (giving the Colts two picks in the top half of the third round), particularly with how the makeup of this draft seems to be depth wise.
