NFL Draft 2022: New York Giants’ top Day 2 targets
By David Solow
Alec Pierce: Cincinnati, WR
Why would he be a good value for the New York Giants at #69?
Pierce is a big, athletic outside receiver that was highly productive at Cincinnati with 52 catches and 884 yards in 2021. He ran a 4.41 40 yard dash at 6 feet 3 inches and 211 pounds, proving he has ideal size and speed for an NFL receiver.
His 40.5 inch vertical and 33 inch arms demonstrate how dangerous he can be on jump balls. Pierce rarely drops passes as well and looks comfortable when making contested catches. He looks a bit like Cooper Kupp in the way he finds openings in zone coverage, making him a very QB friendly receiver.
How would be fit with the NY Giants?
Pierce would compete with Darius Slayton for an outside receiver position opposite Kenny Golladay. He has the ability to contribute as a third option (behind Golladay and Kadarius Toney) right away.
Pierce has similar size to Gabriel Davis, who excelled in the playoffs for the Bills and should cement himself this year as Buffalo’s #2 receiver. Like Davis, Alec Pierce has the ability to play all three receiver positions and could make big plays down the middle of the field.
NFL Combine Stats: Stock Up or Stock Down?
HEIGHT: 6′ 3″
WEIGHT: 211 lbs
ARMS: 33″
HANDS: 9″
40 Yard Dash: 4.41
Vertical Jump: 40.5
Broad Jump: 129
3 Cone Drill: 7.13
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.28
Stock Up: Pierce’s stellar combine performance silenced a lot of doubters that thought he wasn’t athletic enough to be picked on day 2 of the draft. Pierce wowed scouts by initially clocking in at 4.33 in the 40 yard dash, but his time was later adjusted to 4.41.
New York Giants Player Comparison: Hakeem Nicks/Rueben Randle
Pierce isn’t as highly regarded as Nicks was entering the 2009 NFL draft, but they play the receiver position with a similar style. Pierce uses his body like Nicks did to ward off defenders and make contested catches look easy. Pierce has the athletic upside of Rueben Randle, but it is unlikely that he will be the underachiever that Randle was.