RADIO
On the surface, second-year wide receiver Alec Pierce underperformed last season. However, if we pull back the curtain, he was sneakily a decent wideout stuck in a miserable situation.
The second-round pick out of Cincinnati ended last year with 77 targets, 41 receptions, 593 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. This led to a measly 7.0 fantasy points per game.
Let's dive into a few of the factors that got us there, and what the future holds for Alec Pierce.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Is Alec Pierce Talented Enough To Improve Route-Winning Ability?
Pierce is the type of receiver who is successful with what he does well (deep and short passes) but needs to improve in the intermediate area of the field to truly blossom as a top-36 NFL receiver.
He's at his best when he can threaten with deep routes and win 50/50 balls. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash with elite explosiveness and vertical speed. Pierce has the size, athleticism, and ability to be a real number-two wide receiver in this league at some point in his career.
Will Pierce Receive The Necessary Opportunity in 2023?
Despite Pierce's upside, solely drafting off athleticism and potential talent doesn't always work well in redraft or best-ball leagues. Despite showing success running downfield routes and playing next to a number-one receiver, Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan was 70th in air yards per attempt last season. The guy flat-out could not push the ball downfield and outside of the numbers.
This season, Pierce gets an inexperienced, but extremely talented Anthony Richardson behind center. Richardson scored a perfect 10 Relative Athletic Score, the highest possible. His upside is astronomical, but he remains a rookie quarterback who will suffer growing pains this season.
Is He A Value Draft Pick At Cost?
Ultimately, it's really about the price tag for every player. Pierce is currently being drafted at pick #196 in FFPC Best Ball. It remains to be seen if he can produce as an every-week performer, but in games with seven or more targets last season, Pierce finished as the WR29.
An uptick in pass attempts, along with an increased number of deep ball attempts, could prove beneficial for Pierce.
Should You Draft Alec Pierce?
What I'm saying above is that Pierce is going to have spike weeks. With 16th-round draft capital and real spike week potential, he's preferred in best ball over redraft in 2023. Any receiver who's able to give you 80+ yards and a touchdown multiple weeks this year is worth drafting this late.
In most redraft leagues, Alec Pierce will not be drafted. However, he is someone you should keep on your radar in the event of increased pass attempts from the Colts' offense or an injury to one of their main weapons.
As for dynasty leagues, Pierce is free. He isn't someone you want to give up real assets for, but when making a larger trade, one could sneakily increase value by tossing him onto the back end of a deal.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis
