The Colts Next Breakout Star?

Which player from the Indianapolis Colts was selected as the next breakout star by Bleacher Report?

The Indianapolis Colts selected wide receiver Alec Pierce in the second round (No. 53 overall) in last year's NFL Draft. He was the 12th receiver taken in that draft.

He finished the season with 593 yards and two touchdowns which was sixth best among rookie wide receivers. He was ahead of players like Jahan Dotson (16th overall) and Treylon Burks (18th overall). 

No player drafted after Pierce last year finished the season with more receiving yards.

His production was especially encouraging considering the merry-go-round at quarterback as the Colts limped to a 4-12-1 record.

Bleacher Report (B/R) is expecting big things from Pierce in his second season and added him to their breakout player list.

Now, Pierce will work with new head coach Shane Steichen, who helped field a Super Bowl-caliber offense with the Philadelphia Eagles last season—and Steichen sees potential in the tandem Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr.

"I like Pittman. … I think he's a good, solid receiver, he's been doing it for a good chunk here in Indy," Steichen said, per the Indianapolis Star. "And then Pierce … I think he's going to develop as a pass-catcher. He's got the deep ball, he can be a vertical threat. I like both of those guys."

Consistency may still be an issue for Pierce as the Colts work in new quarterbacks Gardner Minshew II and rookie Anthony Richardson. However, he has the chance to build on a promising rookie campaign with a true breakout under one of the brightest young offensive minds in the business. -- Kristopher Knox (B/R)

Knox mentions the struggle at quarterback Pierce and the Colts may have early in the season. But for Pierce to breakout in 2023, he'll need help from Steichen and Richardson as well as the offensive line to play better than they did in 2022.

One can't help but think if Pierce has a breakout season, most of the attention will go to the quarterback who was drafted No. 4 overall in April.

It's pretty much a given that Richardson will immediately be a running threat. If he can get early production from Pierce and Pittman in the passing game, he'll be the talk of the NFL.

And that would be just fine with Alec Pierce and the Indianapolis Colts.