Is Alec Pierce, not Michael Pittman Jr. or Josh Downs, the Colts’ WR1 in Week 12 vs. Chiefs?
Charlie Cummings analyzes whether or not he buys Alec Pierce as the Colts WR1 over Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.
The Colts have been an excellent team all season, fueled by a resurgent Daniel Jones and an MVP-level performance from Jonathan Taylor. But, from a fantasy football perspective, their receiving core remains a puzzle to be solved. Now, once again, we have to ask who the wide receiver to own is. I’m here to make the case for the speedster, Alec Pierce.
Analysis
Jonathan Taylor headlined Indianapolis’ overtime win over the Falcons in Week 10. Once again, their star lead back scored a hat trick on the ground, including the overtime walk-off winner. But there was a bigger story under the surface.
Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr., and Josh Downs have vied for the lead fantasy role all season long. Facing a great Atlanta secondary, it was Pierce who stood out in the receiver room. He had seven targets, more than Pittman Jr. and Downs combined. Pierce turned those seven targets into four catches for 84 yards, plus another long touchdown.
But it’s not just the surface numbers that tell the story. Pierce was on the field for 95% of the team’s snaps, a season high. That was a higher snap share than any other Colts skill position player, including Taylor and stud rookie tight end Tyler Warren. That was the fifth straight week that Pierce has been on the field for more than 80% of the snaps; he only cleared that mark once in his first three games.
He’s been very efficient on a per-down basis; now the volume is scaling up, and the results with them. It’s time to start considering Pierce the top fantasy wideout on this team.
There is a lack of floor that dampens his appeal in PPR leagues. Pierce doesn’t rack up a ton of catches, which lowers his floor, but he does have a crazy average depth of target that we haven’t seen since the 2013 season. Think of him as Jameson Williams with a better floor. As a WR2 or flex option, Alec Pierce carries fantasy-week-winning potential every time he steps on the field. You can’t say the same about the Colts’ other wideouts.
