Indianapolis Colts: Seven Targets on Day Two of the 2022 NFL Draft

Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

I cannot think of a better partner-in-crime for Pittman than the former North Dakota State alum, Christian Watson. In 2021, Pittman faced double teams constantly due to a lack of a consistent threat opposite him. As much of a legend as TY Hilton is, he noticeably lost a step and Parris Campbell has not shown any ability to stay on the field. It would be unwise for the Indianapolis Colts to be content with this wide receiver trio (in the event Hilton is retained).

Christian Watson fits the exact athletic profile that the Colts look for in a wide receiver. He falls right in the middle of Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell in terms of size, checking in at 6’4, 208 pounds with >32 inch arm length. In addition, Watson blazed an astonishing 4.36 40-yard dash, giving reason to believe that everything that scouts saw on tape will translate to the league.

Watson did not face much NFL-caliber talent in college, but he not only only kept pace with the FBS receivers at the Senior Bowl, he straight up outshined most of them. He showed up in Mobile with a more refined route tree and a hunger to prove that he belonged. Many scouts came away impressed with the playmaking wide receiver, so if he is still on the board at 42, the Colts should run the card up to the podium.

Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati

For all the reasons mentioned earlier in the article, the Indianapolis Colts MUST add talent at the receiver position. Only one player on the entire roster eclipsed the 500-yard mark in 2021. This is inexcusable. Regardless of how you feel about the Carson Wentz experience, it is no debate that he had very little to work with. Matt Ryan is the new sheriff in town, and he isn’t getting any younger so the team should do everything in their power to surround him with high-upside pass catchers. There are few in this class with as much upside as the former Cincinnati Bearcat, Alec Pierce.

Pierce didn’t put up flashy numbers during the course of his career, but he finished on a strong note by posting a line of: 52 catches, 884 yards (17 yards per catch), and eight touchdowns. He followed this up by impressing many at the NFL Scouting Combine, proving to be the athletic freak that Cincinnati fans knew him to be. With 4.4 speed and 40.5” vertical jump (best of any wide receiver at the Combine), Pierce will quickly become a quarterbacks’ best friend. Hopefully for Colts fans, that quarterback is Matt Ryan.