The 2022 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Alec Pierce 2022 NFL Draft Profile.
Alec Pierce Background
Position: Wide Receiver
Size: 6-foot-3, 211 pounds
Class: Senior
2021 stats: 52 receptions, 884 receiving yards, 17 yards per catch, 8 touchdown receptions
Pierce was a key player on some Cincinnati teams that made history. He is now headed to the 2022 NFL Draft.
As a three-star prospect out of Illinois, Pierce signed with Cincinnati. He played sparingly as a freshman and received some experience on special teams. His role increased in 2019, as he stepped into the starting lineup with 37 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns. The Bearcats went 11-3 with a win in the Birmingham Bowl that season. In 2020, Pierce had 17 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns. He was injured and only played in six games, but did help the Bearcats go 12-1 and appear in the Peach Bowl. For the 2021 season, Pierce had 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Cincinnati was able to make the College Football Playoff with Pierce’s help.
Following a college career where he improved every season, Pierce is headed to the NFL. He is a projected mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Alec Pierce Strengths
Pierce has solid size that can help him present a defense with matchup problems. He is 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, which makes him bigger than most corners he faces. His 33-inch arms also help him in that regard, as they expand his catch radius.
His speed for his size is really impressive. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and that speed shows up on tape. Pierce was able to consistently beat his man down the field with long strides. His straight-line speed can really help a team take shots downfield.
He is a good deep threat and can be targeted in the red zone. His speed helps him get open downfield. Once the ball is in the air, he uses his size to outmuscle defenders for the football. He can win 50/50 balls and times his jumps very well.
Alec Pierce Weaknesses
Pierce could have more clean route-running. He is a bigger receiver, so he struggles getting in and out of his breaks. Most of his separation comes from his size and speed, not his quickness or agility. He can improve in this area and also improve his releases at the line of scrimmage.
While he is a bigger receiver, Pierce can struggle with press coverage. Because he doesn’t have great releases or quickness, defenders can contact him early and it really hinders him. He’ll need to work on fighting early in the route and his releases to improve against press coverage.
He isn’t great once the ball is in his hands. Once he catches the ball, the play is usually over shortly after. His speed is good, but he doesn’t have the elusiveness to evade defenders. Quarterbacks can target him for big plays, but shouldn’t expect much after the catch.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
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