Indianapolis Colts’ Rookie Playmakers Produce Strong Early Impressions

In the course of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts went all-in on offering assist at a dire space. Outdoors of operating again Jonathan Taylor and large receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis was fully dearth of dependable playmakers to supply for whoever can be behind heart.

It plagued the Colts throughout Philip Rivers’ one-year run in 2020. Carson Wentz solely had Taylor and Pittman throughout his rollercoaster tenure final season. With Matt Ryan now operating the offense in Indianapolis, the Colts added two supremely athletic prospects with excessive ceilings: Cincinnati large receiver Alec Pierce and Virginia tight finish Jelani Woods.

Solely three weeks into their rookie campaigns, each Pierce and Woods have flashed their immense upside. Within the Colts’ 20-17 upset victory over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, the younger playmakers confirmed up within the greatest means attainable.

Pierce produced three receptions for 60 yards, together with just a few deep pictures the place Ryan put belief within the rookie to beat single protection. In every occasion, Pierce produced.

In the meantime, Woods hauled in two receptions however they had been starting and ending the sport with a walk-off rating. Woods’ dimension and velocity mixture had been an apparent mismatch Ryan relentlessly went to within the purple zone.

Shifting ahead, exterior of the aforementioned Taylor and Pittman, the rookies deserve extra targets shares as they progress ahead.

Pierce is taking part in much less snaps than Parris Campbell, who continues to get run as WR2, however the vertical playmaker’s skill to stretch the sphere is one thing Indianapolis has missed inside their offense for years. If Pierce continues to choose up confidence, he ought to transfer into that No. 2 spot behind Pittman in brief order.

The Colts’ tight finish place is relying an terrible lot on Mo Alie-Cox and the younger tandem of Kylen Granson and Woods. Outdoors of the third-round choose, neither Alie-Cox or Granson have made any sizable dent inside Indianapolis’ offensive movement. Equally to Pierce, particularly after his eye-opening residence debut, Woods might quickly turn out to be TE1 for the Colts.

It was a dangerous gamble by Colts common supervisor Chris Ballard to place religion in youth to assist propel them ahead within the loaded AFC. Nonetheless, persistence might quickly be paying off.

Pierce and Woods seem prepared for the highlight, which is strictly what Indianapolis hoped for once they had been debating between the 2 in April’s draft.