Chicago Bears draft profile: Alec Pierce adds toughness, smarts to the offense

Former Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Alec Pierce would give the Chicago Bears added toughness and intelligence to the roster.

We all know that for the Chicago Bears, offensive line and wide receiver will be their top priorities this offseason. New general manager Ryan Poles wants to ensure that the team’s franchise quarterback, Justin Fields, is protected and has some weapons. Since he mentioned that weeks ago, that is what we have been force-fed.

Poles will go through free agency when it begins in a couple of weeks. He’ll seek help at both positions. Additionally, look for him to pick up a receiver through the draft.

Going after former Cincinnati Bearcats receiver Alex Pierce could help the unit.

At Cincinnati, Pierce was a deep threat. He made big catches downfield and was electric. He doesn’t have the speed to blow past professional defenders, however. He ran a 4.41-40 which is good, but not elite. He has other assets, however. He measures in at 6-foot-3 and weighs 211 pounds. His speed is pretty good for his size.

Pierce does a good job of outworking defenders for the ball. He snatches it at its highest point and holds onto it through the hit. Athletically, he is a freak. He played three sports in high school and even played some linebacker for Cincinnati.

Despite not projecting to be a field stretcher the way he was in college, Pierce should be a very good possession receiver. He has the toughness to make contested catches, which is good since he’ll likely have a great deal of them at the next level. While he won’t be the deep threat he was in college, he could sneak by some defenders and make catches down the field. He has good and quick foot movements as well as play strength so he could do a good job of getting past press coverage. That will create some space at times.

Pierce is also a willing blocker. He’ll get in the trenches and take on a defender to open up space when he isn’t getting the ball. This is what will make him more valuable.

In addition to Pierce’s toughness, he graduated early with a mechanical engineering degree. Poles and new head coach Matt Eberflus noted that he likes intelligent players. He feels that they are easier to coach and mold. They feel that those types of players play better at the next level.

Pierce’s athleticism, toughness, and ability to go get the ball, along with his size, make him a very good red zone target. Fields could trust him to make the catch in small spaces and in traffic.

Pierce will have to. Despite his athleticism and other tools, he only had 1,851 yards and 13 touchdowns in two-and-a-half seasons.

There are some analysts, like Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, who feel that Pierce could be the Bears’ pick at 39. I wouldn’t go that far. However, if the Bears feel a need to pick him up, they could trade down and acquire more picks. Then they could pick Pierce up later.

Poles and Eberflus mentioned how they want to make the Chicago Bears a tougher team. While many people view that as a reference to the offensive line, drafting Pierce would make the wide receivers unit a tougher group.

Adding some tough players is what will make teams loathe going up against the new Monsters of the Midway.