Indianapolis Colts’ Rookie Playmakers Produce Strong Early Impressions

During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts went all-in on providing help at a dire area. Outside of running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis was completely dearth of reliable playmakers to produce for whoever would be behind center.

It plagued the Colts during Philip Rivers’ one-year run in 2020. Carson Wentz only had Taylor and Pittman during his rollercoaster tenure last season. With Matt Ryan now running the offense in Indianapolis, the Colts added two supremely athletic prospects with high ceilings: Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce and Virginia tight end Jelani Woods.

Only three weeks into their rookie campaigns, both Pierce and Woods have flashed their immense upside. In the Colts’ 20-17 upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the young playmakers showed up in the biggest way possible.

Pierce produced three receptions for 60 yards, including a few deep shots where Ryan put trust in the rookie to beat single coverage. In each instance, Pierce produced.

Meanwhile, Woods hauled in two receptions but they were beginning and ending the game with a walk-off score. Woods’ size and speed combination were an obvious mismatch Ryan relentlessly went to in the red zone.

Moving forward, outside of the aforementioned Taylor and Pittman, the rookies deserve more targets shares as they progress forward.

Pierce is playing less snaps than Parris Campbell, who continues to get run as WR2, but the vertical playmaker’s ability to stretch the field is something Indianapolis has missed within their offense for years. If Pierce continues to pick up confidence, he should move into that No. 2 spot behind Pittman in short order.

The Colts’ tight end position is relying an awful lot on Mo Alie-Cox and the young tandem of Kylen Granson and Woods. Outside of the third-round pick, neither Alie-Cox or Granson have made any sizable dent within Indianapolis’ offensive flow. Similarly to Pierce, especially after his eye-opening home debut, Woods could soon become TE1 for the Colts.

It was a risky gamble by Colts general manager Chris Ballard to put faith in youth to help propel them forward in the loaded AFC. However, patience could soon be paying off.

Pierce and Woods appear ready for the spotlight, which is exactly what Indianapolis hoped for when they were debating between the two in April’s draft.