He seems like he was a college player that may have been thrust into a starting role because of natural gifts, perhaps without full immersion into the programs. He improved his accuracy at least a little bit in the short time he received NFL coaching, so maybe with attention to S&C, he'll make some noticeable jumps in that area too.
Amazing how MPJ had a season that helped him solidify a huge bag and Downs had a really good rookie season that has everyone excited for next season, yet Minshew is somehow responsible for holding back Pierce.
Pierce is not an elite athlete (at least by NFL WR standards). He's not a good route runner. He doesn't win his routes often (#124 in the NFL last year in route win rate). He struggles to separate. What about AP says "great upside"?
With the Colts drafting a WR in R2 who can offer a similar skillset...and likely more...the writing is on the wall that they are looking for more upside than just effort and blocking at WR2.
AR even admitted he wasn't fully ready for the speed and power of NFL players. So I would think strength and conditioning is going to be a huge priority this summer.
Not to get all doom and gloom, but I hope he's not one of those guys who gets hurt all the time. Between his Sr year of HS and 4 games into his NFL career, he has at least suffered two AC sprains, a torn meniscus and multiple concussions. That might not seem too bad, until you realize it doesn't even encompass 30 starts at QB. That's less than two full seasons in the NFL. And if a player had that many injuries across 2-3 years in the NFL, I think people would view him differently than they do AR.
But that said, it's prob just as likely he ends up like Stafford and this is a just a bump in the road to a long career.
Pierce had most snaps as a WR in the league and Pittman was fourth. Hopefully fewer snaps will keep them fresher. They are both great blockers so the other guys are going to have to show the ability to block to win those snaps.
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