Colts former second-round pick wants 'chance to showcase' versatility
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.
The Colts wide receiver room got a bit more crowded this offseason after they selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
That has put third-year wide receiver Alec Pierce on notice as fellow wideouts Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs seem to be locked as part of Indianapolis' trio.
Pierce will likely enter training camp as a starter given his experience with the team, but he knows he must continue to prove he deserves to run with the first team.
"I think it's my job to go into camp and prove that," Pierce said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. "Just gotta let my work on the field speak for itself."
Still, there is a good reason why the Colts felt it was necessary to use valuable draft capital to add another playmaker this offseason.
Pierce's first two seasons in the league have been underwhelming. Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick (No. 53) in 2022, he has registered just 73 catches for 1,107 yards and four touchdowns while being viewed mostly as a deep threat.
The 24-year-old wants the opportunity to prove he can be more than that in 2024.
"I think there's a lot more to my game," Pierce added. "I just want to have the chance to be able to showcase that."
Part of Pierce's lack of production last season was likely due to Gardner Minshew playing at quarterback in relief for Anthony Richardson, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5.
While Minshew had a solid 2023 campaign in which he threw for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, he is more of a game manager than the big-armed Richardson.
Nonetheless, Pierce knows he must produce no matter who is at quarterback and is looking forward to the competition that will come in training camp.
"High tides raise all ships," Pierce finished. "You're going to get better from your competition. So, the competitive spirit, that's what you've got to work on."
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