Patriots Rumor Alec Pierce question

Username said:

I don't think Alec Pierce is being strongly linked with the Patriots at all.

It all seems to be fairly tenuous to this point, like analysts saying it could make sense

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stinkypete said:

Alec Pierce is seeming to be telegraphed to the Patriots much like Milton Williams was a year ago. If reporting on his priorities is to be believed, he is ours if we're willing to make a competitive enough bid.

I have a question about Pierce's production and fit for this offense. Pierce's career catch percentage is only 53%, and his career high is 56%. This seems concerningly low. How is this explained?

Pierce's drop percentage is low (1.2% in 2025, and 3.4% for his career), so it's not his hands.

Is this a natural function of his role in the Indy offense? His average depth of target is very high (18.9 yards in 2025, 16.7 career) so has he just been targeted on a disproportionate number of low probability throws? Were his QBs just missing him badly because they have largely sucked?

Does he frequently miss his routes? His college scouting reports indicated a limited route tree - something Chris Hogan recently sounded off on.

This information will likely decide whether he is signed. I can't imagine a team that runs McDaniels' offensive system is going to break the bank for a WR who isn't useful in the middle of the field. The offense is already somewhat deficient in this area, and there isn't really a role for another deep ball specialist.

Is there anyone here who has watched a lot of Indy tape (god knows I haven't) and can speak to his fit here?

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stinkypete said:

Alec Pierce is seeming to be telegraphed to the Patriots much like Milton Williams was a year ago. If reporting on his priorities is to be believed, he is ours if we're willing to make a competitive enough bid.

I have a question about Pierce's production and fit for this offense. Pierce's career catch percentage is only 53%, and his career high is 56%. This seems concerningly low. How is this explained?

Pierce's drop percentage is low (1.2% in 2025, and 3.4% for his career), so it's not his hands.

Is this a natural function of his role in the Indy offense? His average depth of target is very high (18.9 yards in 2025, 16.7 career) so has he just been targeted on a disproportionate number of low probability throws? Were his QBs just missing him badly because they have largely sucked?

Does he frequently miss his routes? His college scouting reports indicated a limited route tree - something Chris Hogan recently sounded off on.

This information will likely decide whether he is signed. I can't imagine a team that runs McDaniels' offensive system is going to break the bank for a WR who isn't useful in the middle of the field. The offense is already somewhat deficient in this area, and there isn't really a role for another deep ball specialist.

Is there anyone here who has watched a lot of Indy tape (god knows I haven't) and can speak to his fit here?

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Toofy said:

At this point it looks like chargers are completely on him and we are not even in reckoning.

So it's either aj brown or potentially Mike Evans for us .if both don't sign here , prolly we are looking at a very weak wr corps .

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Toofy said:

At this point it looks like chargers are completely on him and we are not even in reckoning.

So it's either aj brown or potentially Mike Evans for us .if both don't sign here , prolly we are looking at a very weak wr corps .

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stinkypete said:

Alec Pierce is seeming to be telegraphed to the Patriots much like Milton Williams was a year ago. If reporting on his priorities is to be believed, he is ours if we're willing to make a competitive enough bid.

I have a question about Pierce's production and fit for this offense. Pierce's career catch percentage is only 53%, and his career high is 56%. This seems concerningly low. How is this explained?

Pierce's drop percentage is low (1.2% in 2025, and 3.4% for his career), so it's not his hands.

Is this a natural function of his role in the Indy offense? His average depth of target is very high (18.9 yards in 2025, 16.7 career) so has he just been targeted on a disproportionate number of low probability throws? Were his QBs just missing him badly because they have largely sucked?

Does he frequently miss his routes? His college scouting reports indicated a limited route tree - something Chris Hogan recently sounded off on.

This information will likely decide whether he is signed. I can't imagine a team that runs McDaniels' offensive system is going to break the bank for a WR who isn't useful in the middle of the field. The offense is already somewhat deficient in this area, and there isn't really a role for another deep ball specialist.

Is there anyone here who has watched a lot of Indy tape (god knows I haven't) and can speak to his fit here?

Click to expand...

stinkypete said:

Alec Pierce is seeming to be telegraphed to the Patriots much like Milton Williams was a year ago. If reporting on his priorities is to be believed, he is ours if we're willing to make a competitive enough bid.

I have a question about Pierce's production and fit for this offense. Pierce's career catch percentage is only 53%, and his career high is 56%. This seems concerningly low. How is this explained?

Pierce's drop percentage is low (1.2% in 2025, and 3.4% for his career), so it's not his hands.

Is this a natural function of his role in the Indy offense? His average depth of target is very high (18.9 yards in 2025, 16.7 career) so has he just been targeted on a disproportionate number of low probability throws? Were his QBs just missing him badly because they have largely sucked?

Does he frequently miss his routes? His college scouting reports indicated a limited route tree - something Chris Hogan recently sounded off on.

This information will likely decide whether he is signed. I can't imagine a team that runs McDaniels' offensive system is going to break the bank for a WR who isn't useful in the middle of the field. The offense is already somewhat deficient in this area, and there isn't really a role for another deep ball specialist.

Is there anyone here who has watched a lot of Indy tape (god knows I haven't) and can speak to his fit here?

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Huckleberry1 said:

Where did you see that? Everything I'm seeing and hearing has him going to the Patriots.

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Huckleberry1 said:

Imagine for a moment Anthony Richardson throwing to you.

Hopefully this answers your question.

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Toofy said:

Online chatter and YouTube videos on chargers being all in , besides they have 99 million in cash to spend .

Weather is too enticing . Boston is not even close .

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Toofy said:

Online chatter and YouTube videos on chargers being all in , besides they have 99 million in cash to spend .

Weather is too enticing . Boston is not even close .

Click to expand...

Toofy said:

Online chatter and YouTube videos on chargers being all in , besides they have 99 million in cash to spend .

Weather is too enticing . Boston is not even close .

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KCSVEN said:

Chargers are a possibility, but everyone has Pats as 1 of the top 1 or 2 most likely destinations.
California the one place where taxes and cost of living is a disadvantage to Boston.
Chargers also have 15 less players under contract than the Pats they need to sign a lot more guys so cap difference not as great as it looks.

Neither team will be constrained by cap space.

Probably 5-6 teams will at least take a look at him seriously.

His college coach is one of Vrabel's best friends. Vrabel will have a lot of insight in determining how high he wants to go.

Let's not forget Milt Williams spurned Carolina (much nicer weather, better tax situation) and signed with Pats.

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KCSVEN said:

You nailed it: the QB's sucked.

I think receiving success rate is better than catch % as it takes yard into consideration.

Success rate 2025:

Pierce: 54.8% on 21.3 Y/R
T. Warren: 51.8 on 10.8 Y/R
Pitman: 57.7 on 9.8 Y/R
Downs: 50.0 on 9.8 Y/R
Taylor: 54.5 on 9.8 Y/R

Pierce was 11.9 Yard per Target, the rest were between 6.4 and 7.3.

The next 2 guys in yards per catch:
Jameson Williams Det not a good deep ball thrower there: Success rate 53.9%

Boutte is next, great deep ball thrower: success rate 69.6% but only 33 catches for 551 yards

Couple other guys over 15 yards per catch:

Rome Odunze is 45.6% success (Inaccurate QB)
Nico Collins: 49.2% success (inaccurate QB)

See the difference in QB? That's why Pierce is SO exciting to pare with Maye.

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DoubleDeluxe said:

How do we know what weather he prefers?
He's a young kid, not a grumpy old man shovelling his own driveway.
He grew up in Illinois, I'm sure he's use to cold weather.
Maybe he loves ice fishing snow shoeing.
This weather talk is unfounded.

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