This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player’s percentile rank. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
The bars represents the team’s percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
@ Patriots
Sunday, Dec 1st at 1:00PM
Overall QB Rating Against
92.8
Cornerbacks
87.7
Safeties
93.5
Linebackers
108.5
Pierce started 12 of his 16 games as a second-round rookie last year and accounted for nearly as many deep targets (15) as every other Colts wideout combined (18). He caught seven of those for 243 yards and a TD, demonstrating his 4.41 speed at times, but managed only 350 yards on his 63 targets within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage. And while he’ll soon play with strong-armed rookie Anthony Richardson — possibly Week 1 — it’s unclear if Richardson has the accuracy or Pierce the route-running skills to turn it into a potent connection. The 6-3 wideout at least is in good position to retain a perimeter starting role across from Michael Pittman, as third-round rookie Josh Downs and free-agent signing Isaiah McKenzie mostly figure to compete for slot snaps.
While he never had huge stats in college, Pierce was a three-year starter at Cincinnati and capped things off in 2021 with an 884-yard, eight-TD campaign. It put him in the discussion as a mid-round pick, and he ultimately ended up going to Indy in the second round (53rd overall) after boosting his stock with a stellar combine workout (4.41 40, 40.5-inch vertical at 6-3, 211). Pierce may now be the downfield threat for new Colts QB Matt Ryan, who otherwise has Michael Pittman, oft-injured Parris Campbell and Ashton Dulin as the leading candidates for playing time at wide receiver. Pittman cleared 1,000 yards last year and is a heavy favorite to lead the team in targets and receiving again, but Pierce has a real shot to become Option B or C.
