Indianapolis Colts’ Rookie Playmakers Produce Strong Early Impressions

SportsMoney Indianapolis Colts’ Rookie Playmakers Produce Strong Early Impressions Evan Sidery Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I write about the NBA, NFL, UFC for Forbes. com.

Following New! Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Got it! Sep 30, 2022, 08:13pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 25: Jelani Woods #80 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after . .

. [+] scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) Getty Images 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.

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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.

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