The Indianapolis Colts have high hopes for second-round wide receiver Alec Pierce, and there has been no shortage of tests during his first training camp.
As if it almost seems to be on purpose, the rookie wideout has been seeing the majority of his reps against the former Defensive Player of the Year in cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
That’s a challenge tough enough for even the saltiest of veterans, let alone a rookie going through his first training camp.
Head coach Frank Reich told reporters following Tuesday’s practice that it isn’t by design, but that the challenge should make Pierce a better player.
“No, actually it’s just the way it’s come up. You know just formationally and the way the defense has been lining up. So, obviously when you’re in training camp running more plays – it is a good observation because that has happened,” Reich said Tuesday. “You’re right. I mean they’ve lined up across a lot from each other, which is what you want, right?”
A product of Cincinnati, Pierce has had a few strong moments at his first training camp. One included a beautiful vertical route against third-year cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, which ended in a spectacular back shoulder catch during a 1v1 drill.
But Pierce has been no stranger to lining up across from talented cornerbacks. Even during his time at Cincinnati, the 6-foot-3 wideout typically lined up across from Sauce Gardner, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
“That’s a great way for him to develop, to go up against a guy who’s been the Defensive Player of the Year,” Reich said of Pierce. “(He) went up against that corner that he had as a teammate in college all those years, now he goes up against one of the best NFL players. So, that’s really good for Alec (Pierce).”
Pierce is currently competing for the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Michael Pittman Jr., and his competition has been having a strong camp himself. While Parris Campbell has been through the wringer when it comes to injuries, his talent has put him right in the thick of the battle for that role.
The Colts have high expectations for Pierce during his rookie season and going up against Gilmore every day in practice should only benefit him so long as he responds to the challenge.
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