Alec Pierce DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (foot) was listed as questionable for the team's Week 13 game against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Pierce did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was upgraded to a full session on Friday, giving him a good shot to play through the questionable tag this weekend. Fellow receivers Josh Downs (shoulder) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) didn't practice all week and have been ruled out, so if Pierce is active, he should have an expanded role as the WR2 in Indy behind Michael Pittman Jr. Quarterback Anthony Richardson has struggled with accuracy in his second NFL season, but the 24-year-old Pierce is intriguing as a WR4/flex play this weekend if he's active. He has big-play ability -- he leads the league with 23.3 yards per reception -- and the Patriots defense has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to the position.

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (shoulder), Alec Pierce (foot) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) all missed practice for a second straight day on Thursday. Downs is fighting an uphill battle to play in Week 13 versus the New England Patriots after injuring his shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions, but the Colts could also be without Pierce and Dulin unless they are able to return to practice on Friday in some capacity. Michael Pittman Jr. (back) remains listed on the injury report, but he's practicing in full this week. If one or both of Downs and/or Pierce sit out against the Pats, Pittman would be in line for a heavy target share, while rookie Adonai Mitchell would also see an increase in usage, putting him in place as a more palatable WR4/flex option in fantasy. Pierce leads the NFL in yards per catch (23.3) and will be a WR4/flex with upside if he's active and Downs is out.

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Alec Pierce (foot) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) were both non-participants in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Josh Downs (shoulder) also missed practice and is considered week-to-week with a shoulder injury he suffered in the Week 12 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Indy's receiving corps is pretty banged up heading into their Sunday meeting against the New England Patriots in Week 13. The 24-year-old Pierce would be much more attractive as a starting fantasy option this weekend if he's active and Downs is held out. Rookie Adonai Mitchell, meanwhile, would serve as the No. 2 behind Michael Pittman Jr. if both Downs and Pierce are out. Pierce leads the league with 23.3 yards per reception but has been a frustrating fantasy play given quarterback Anthony Richardson's struggles as a passer. He already has career-highs in yards (629) and TDs (four) in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce garnered his usual looks on Sunday but turned his four targets into just one catch in the 24-6 loss to the Lions. The one catch was a nice 39-yard grab, and Anthony Richardson missed him badly on a wide-open throw early on in the contest for what would have been a huge gain or even a touchdown. The continued dose of deep shots to the speedy receiver is encouraging, as one of these weeks it could turn into a big day for the 24-year-old, but it is hard to predict when that will be, especially if Richardson doesn't improve his accuracy. Week 13 brings a somewhat favorable matchup against the Patriots, but that contest will be on the road on what will be a chilly day in Foxboro. Nevertheless, Pierce figures to be a boom/bust WR5 again.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce owns the largest percentage of his team's air yards (28.15%), but not only that, he leads the entire NFL in average depth of target (21.25) -- and it isn't even close. The downside for him is that he's received just four targets or less in eight of 11 contests. On the bright side, the 24-year-old usually makes the most of it, leading his team in reception yards (although Josh Downs is not far behind despite playing two fewer games) while recording a 30-plus yard reception in five of 11 weeks. Pierce figures to earn his usual share of deep shots in Week 12's matchup against the Lions, especially if the Colts -- who are seven-point underdogs -- find themselves trailing late in the game. The former second-round draft pick ranks in the WR5 range this week, but with his four TDs on the season, the third-year pro does possess some upside.