Tag: Alec Pierce

Who was Colts’ most improved player in 2024?

Who was the Colts’ most improved player in 2024? Pro Football Focus weighed in with their selection.

Pro Football Focus set out to select the most improved player on each team in 2024. Their choice for the Indianapolis Colts? A fairly obvious one in wide receiver Alec Pierce, who put together a breakout year.

“Alec Pierce’s role in the Colts offense is clearly defined. They want him to win downfield with his speed and 6-foot-3 frame. That hadn’t always been a surefire thing in his first two seasons in the NFL, but Pierce took a real step forward in 2024 and asserted himself as a reliable deep threat for Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco.”

Pierce would lead the Colts’ offense this season in receiving yards with 824 and touchdowns with seven.

As PFF noted, he emerged this season as one of the game’s most productive downfield targets, leading the NFL in yards per reception with 22.3, along with totaling the most receiving yards on passes of 20-plus yards downfield.

In addition to the big play ability that a downfield presence brings, having that element within an offense can also help open up opportunities underneath and even in the run game as the defense defends against the ball being pushed downfield.

With the addition of AD Mitchell early on in last year’s draft, Pierce felt his seat and role within the Colts’ receiver room heat up. However, he embraced the competition and was much better off for it.

“I can’t say enough about Alec Pierce,” said Ballard. “Look, I’ll tell ya a story: after the draft, anytime you draft a player at a position, there’s some uneasiness and Alec felt it. He came to my office and said, ‘Chris, what does this mean for me?’ I said nothing. Compete. And that’s exactly what he did. He didn’t complain. He didn’t make excuses. He competed and he is freaking good.”

Colts WR Alec Pierce embraces competition and thrives in 2024

Colts’ WR Alec Pierce embraced the competition early on and thrived during the 2024 season.

The 2024 NFL season was a breakout year for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.

“Alec Pierce has become who we thought Alec Pierce could be,” said GM Chris Ballard on Friday.

After navigating up and down play during his first two NFL seasons, Pierce became that reliable downfield presence for the Colts offense in his third year.

Pierce would total 824 receiving yards on the season, along with seven touchdowns, both of which were career-highs for him, and he led the team in those categories.

League-wide, Pierce emerged as one of the more steady downfield targets in the game. His 22.3 yards per reception was the highest mark in football, along with tallying the most receiving yards on passes of 20-plus air yards downfield.

When an offense has that big play element, it can help create opportunities for others in the passing game through the added spacing that is created underneath for the short to intermediate passing routes as the defense attempts to keep everything in front of them.

As Ballard sat in front of the media on Friday and called his roster construction approach in 2024 a “mistake” because he did not add enough competition throughout, which fostered complacency, Pierce’s Year 3 leap is a prime example of competition can spark growth.

With the addition of rookie AD Mitchell in the 2024 NFL draft, the X wide receiver position opposite of Michael Pittman was one of the few places on the Colts’ roster where there was competition last summer.

After the selection of Mitchell, Pierce immediately knew that his playing time was potentially in jeopardy.

“I can’t say enough about Alec Pierce,” added Ballard. “Look, I’ll tell ya a story: after the draft, anytime you draft a player at a position, there’s some uneasiness and Alec felt it. He came to my office and said, ‘Chris, what does this mean for me?’ I said nothing. Compete. And that’s exactly what he did. He didn’t complain. He didn’t make excuses. He competed and he is freaking good.”

Ballard would go on to say that Mitchell certainly possesses the talent that the team knew was there when they drafted him, however, like many young players, it’s about finding consistency.

For Pierce, now the next step in his development is building upon the performance we saw from him in 2024, so that this level of play becomes the norm for him. Ballard certainly believes that as impressive as this year was, more is out there for Pierce.

“He is exactly who we thought he was going to be,” said Ballard, “and I think there’s more in there. I do. Alec Pierce is an excellent, excellent football player.”

Colts WR Alec Pierce out of concussion protocol, available vs Giants

Colts’ WR Alec Pierce is out of concussion protocol and does not have an injury designation. He will be available in Week 17 vs. the Giants.

Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver Alec Pierce has cleared concussion protocol and is no longer on the team’s injury report. So, he will be available for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Pierce sustained the concussion in the first half of the Colts’ eventual Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury kept him out of practice all last week and forced him to miss this past week’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

In this third NFL season, Pierce has emerged as one of the most productive downfield targets in football. Entering Week 17, his 29 targets of 20-plus yards are the third-most among all receivers, along with Pierce ranking seventh in downfield receiving yards.

Overall in 2024, Pierce has caught 29-of-56 passes for 645 yards with five touchdowns. His impressive average of 22.2 yards per reception is the second-best mark in the NFL.

Awaiting the Colts’ offense this week is a Giants defense that ranks 24th in scoring and has given up their share of big passing plays, ranking 29th in yards per pass attempt allowed.

As was the case last week, this should be another run-centric approach from the Colts’ offense, but success on the ground can open up downfield opportunities in the passing game.

The Colts, however, have some unknowns at the quarterback position with Anthony Richardson listed as questionable. If he can’t go, then Joe Flacco will start.

Colts rule out WR Alec Pierce for Week 16 game vs Titans

The Indianapolis Colts have ruled out WR Alec Pierce for the team’s Week 16 matchup with the Titans.

Following Friday’s practice, Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen ruled out wide receiver Alec Pierce for the team’s Week 16 matchup with Tennessee.

Pierce exited the Colts’ Week 15 matchup against Denver just before halftime and was ruled out a short while later with a concussion. He then entered concussion protocol on Monday and missed the first two practices of the week.

When players are in concussion protocol, they are not eligible to play until fully cleared.

Pierce has emerged this season as one of the game’s most productive downfield targets. His 26 targets of 20-plus yards lead the NFL, while his 428 yards on those passes are the third-most.

Overall, he leads the Colts in receiving with 645 yards and is averaging 22.2 yards per catch, the second-best mark in football. Pierce has also found the end zone five times.

Without Pierce, a larger role for AD Mitchell is likely in store. In the Colts’ Week 10 game against Buffalo, Mitchell had six receptions for 71 yards–both season-highs–as he filled Pierce’s role within the offense as the X receiver while Pierce slid over to fill Michael Pittman’s role with him being sidelined in that game.

Potentially, Ashton Dulin could step into a larger role as well if he’s available. Dulin, however, has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and just returned to practice on Thursday in a limited capacity.

Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce not practicing for second day in Week 13

Indianapolis Colts’ WR Alec Pierce was a non-participant for the second straight practice as the team prepares for a Week 13 matchup with New England.

For the second consecutive day, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is not on the practice field.

He is listed as having a foot injury and was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday when the team held a walkthrough instead of a full-on practice.

Earlier in the week, it was reported by James Boyd of The Athletic that Pierce was “good” after being seen getting his right ankle re-taped during Sunday’s game against Detroit–although Pierce is on the injury report with a foot injury.

Perhaps the Colts are just being overly cautious and giving Pierce some additional rest in preparation for Sunday’s game in New England, but any time a player misses two days of practice, it is worth monitoring.

With Anthony Richardson at the helm, Pierce has been one of the NFL’s most productive downfield targets in football this season. Overall, he leads the team in receiving yards with 623 and is averaging a heft 23.3 yards per catch with four scores.

On deep balls specifically, Pierce ranks third in receptions of 20-plus yards and is second in yards on those targets.

The Colts may already be short-handed at the receiver position for this game. Josh Downs hasn’t been ruled out yet, but as Shane Steichen put it on Wednesday, him being available will be “tough.”

Ashton Dulin, who exited Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, has also not practiced the first two days of this week either.

Awaiting the Colts is a New England defense who ranks 12th in yards per rush allowed, but is 26th in yards per pass attempt surrendered.

WR Alec Pierce provides Colts’ offense with another big spark

Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver Alec Pierce provided the offense with another big spark in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars.

Down 34-20 in the fourth quarter, it began to feel like the Jacksonville Jaguars were about to close the Indianapolis Colts out at that point. However, as he’s done all season, Alec Pierce provided the offense with a massive spark.

Following a Jacksonville touchdown to put them up 34-20, Joe Flacco began the next drive with a 24 yard pass to Alec Pierce. Then on the very next play, the two connected for a 45 yard gain that put the Colts at the Jacksonville one-yard line. Trey Sermon would score on the next play.

Now down a touchdown, the Colts’ defense forced a three-and-out, giving the ball back to the offense. Following a 17-yard run by Sermon on the first play, Flacco again found Pierce for what ended up as a 65-yard catch and run touchdown to tie the game for the time being.

Pierce finished the game with only three receptions–all of which came on those two drives–for 134 yards and a score.

One of the head-scratching aspects of this game was that it took until those final five or so minutes in the fourth quarter with the Colts trailing by two touchdowns for them to push the ball downfield. For much of the game against a Jaguars’ secondary that ranked 30th in yards per pass attempt allowed coming into this game, it was a conservative approach for the Colts’ passing game.

Pierce came into this game as one of the more productive downfield targets in football this season with 234 receiving yards on just 10 receptions. That’s an average of 23.4 yards per catch.

Regardless of  what the game-plan is, Pierce needs be targeted downfield a few times on a weekly basis.

Colts Alec Pierce among most productive WRs on downfield throws

Through three games, the Colts’ Alec Pierce has been one of the most productive receivers on downfield throws.

Three games in to the 2024 NFL season, and the Indianapolis Colts’ Alec Pierce has been one of the most productive downfield targets at the receiver position.

This element had always been a calling card for Pierce, but having a quarterback with Anthony Richardson’s arm talent has helped unlock that ability–not to mention what was an offseason and training camp performance that GM Chris Ballard said was the best he’s seen from Pierce.

Over these first three games, Pierce’s six targets of at least 20 yards are tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. His three receptions on those targets are the most and his 161 yards on deep targets ranks second, according to PFF.

Pierce’s ability to come up with these big plays has been one of the few sparks for this Colts offense. In Week 1 against Houston, one of Pierce’s deep receptions ended as a touchdown and the other set up an eventual touchdown. Then against Chicago, Pierce’s 44 yard reception put the Colts in scoring position but they could not capitalize.

It’s been a very boom-or-bust start for the Colts passing game. This is a unit that ranks among the best in generating big plays, but they’ve struggled mightily to sustain drives because of the inconsistency on the short to intermediate routes.

Pierce, who wanted to showcase his versatility this season, has provided some help in those parts of the field as well, which included leading the team in receiving yards against Green Bay, despite not having a downfield catch.

Finding more stability in the passing game starts with Anthony Richardson being more accurate. Having Josh Downs back in the mix will certainly help, and more is needed from Michael Pittman, who has caught 57 percent of his targets at just 8.0 yards per catch.

While the big play potential is great, that can’t be an offense’s only avenue for moving the ball either. The passing game won’t find stability until there is improvement in those other areas of the field.

Alec Pierce leads Colts in receiving yards for second game

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce led the team in receiving yards for the second straight week.

For the second game in a row, Alec Pierce led the Indianapolis Colts in receiving yards in what ended up being a Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Pierce had three receptions for 125 yards with a touchdown. Two of those receptions went for more than 55 yards. This past Sunday in Green Bay, Pierce had seven targets (the most on the team), five receptions (the most on the team), and totaled 56 yards with another score.

One area where the Packers were more effective than the Texans was in taking away the Colts’ downfield pass attempts. Pierce’s longest reception was just 18 yards.

Pierce currently ranks sixth among all NFL receivers in receiving yards through two games. His early season production is a product of what had been a very strong training camp for him–one that GM Chris Ballard called his best to date.

Pierce had bulked up during the offseason, worked on his release packages to help create separation, and wanted to showcase his versatility and that he can impact all levels of the field and not only be a deep threat. Most importantly, he’s just been more consistent.

Overall, however, the Colts passing game is struggling to find any sort of steady presence. Outside of the three big plays in Week 1, the offense has struggled to sustain drives in the early going of the season.

Michael Pittman has had an up and down start, rookie AD Mitchell and Anthony Richardson just have not been on the same page, while the offense very much misses Josh Down’s presence in the slot.

Finding more consistency for the offense will require Pierce to continue on this trajectory, but the offense as a whole needs additional pass game production from elsewhere.

Two Colts players among fastest ball carriers in Week 1

Two Colts players on offense were among the fastest ball carriers in Week 1 of the regular season.

Two of the fastest ball carriers in Week 1 of the regular season were members of the Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. And of the six fastest plays, three belonged to the Colts.

Next Gen Stats is able to show the maximum speed in miles per hour (mph) that a player hits on a given play while carrying or going for the ball.

The fastest player in Week 1 was Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who hit 21.89 mph. But right behind him was Alec Pierce on his 60-yard touchdown reception at 21.21 mph.

Then at No. 3 on the list was Anthony Gould, who reached 21.11 mph on his 26-yard kick-off return. Then, at No. 6, Pierce made another appearance, registering 20.95 mph on his 57-yard reception.

Pierce has always possessed that type of deep speed and helping that speed turn into production is quarterback Anthony Richardson who has the arm strength and talent to help maximize Pierce’s downfield abilities.

He finished the game with three receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown, currently ranking third in receiving yards following Week 1.

In addition to Richardson’s ability to get the ball downfield, Pierce put together what GM Chris Ballard called his best training camp to date.

In addition to the Colts offense having Pierce and Gould, don’t forget about AD Mitchell’s speed either. Mitchell ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process and will likely show up on these rankings at some point this season.

Colts WR Alec Pierce among best in receiving yards after Week 1

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is near the top of the NFL’s receiving yards list following Week 1.

Indianapolis Colts third-year wide receiver Alec Pierce ranks among the best in receiving following an impressive Week 1 performance.

In the Colts’ loss to the Houston Texans, Pierce finished the game with three receptions, totaling 125 yards. Only the Green Bay Packers’ Jayden Reed, with 138 yards, and the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, with 130 yards, had more.

Just about all of Pierce’s production came on two deep ball passes from Anthony Richardson. The first came on a 60 yard strike from Richardson that went for a touchdown. The second big play went for 57 yards and set up an eventual touchdown.

Not surprisingly with those numbers, Pierce also ranks second in downfield receiving yards (or receptions on passes of 20-plus yards), downfield receptions, and average yards per catch, according to PFF.

Pierce’s ability to make downfield plays has always been his calling card. However, consistency in those situations has been lacking during his first two NFL seasons.

The catalyst behind what we saw from Pierce on Sunday was a strong training camp performance, where he was a steady presence in the passing game. Following camp, GM Chris Ballard called Pierce’s performance over the summer the best he’s seen from him.

In addition to that, Pierce has bulked up and worked on his release packages to help create separation.

The other obvious difference for the Colts’ passing game in this regard is having a quarterback with the arm talent that Richardson does, giving him the ability to find Pierce and put the ball where he can go and get it.

While the vertical presence may be what Pierce has best been known for up to this point in his career, he’s also worked hard this summer to showcase his versatility and that he can make an impact at all levels of the field.