Alec Pierce, Ja'Marr Chase only WRs to accomplish this feat
Indianapolis Colts' wide receiver Alec Pierce is in impressive company now three years into his NFL career.
According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, Pierce has seven receptions of 40-plus yards since 2022. The only receiver who has more of those types of receptions during that span is Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase, who has eight.
In four seasons, Chase has made four Pro Bowls and is a one-time All-Pro, along with winning the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2021.
Holder also notes that one out of every 10 receptions by Pierce has gone for a touchdown, and since 2022, he leads the league in air yards per target at 16.0.
As these numbers indicate, Pierce has been a big play threat since he entered the NFL, but the 204 season was a breakout year for him. Pierce would record a career-high 824 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and he led the NFL in yards per catch among eligible receivers with 22.3.
Beyond the big play presence that Pierce provides this Colts' offense with, having that element available forces defenses to spread out as they protect against explosive plays, and that can then open up opportunities underneath and over the middle for other pass catchers.
Pierce is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and he will continue to be a vertical presence in this offense. But the next step for him and what he's working towards is expanding his route tree so he can impact other levels of the field more regularly.
"This time, especially right now and into training camp, you try different things with him," Shane Steichen said during OTAs. "Obviously, things he wants to get better and improve at, certain routes to keep getting better at and keep working those things so he can improve in that and we can add that to his game as well."
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