NFL Draft 2022: Recap and analysis after the weekend of picks
By Khari Demos
2022 NFL Draft Sleeper picks: Alec Pierce & Chad Muma
Alec Pierce was a name that got lost in the shuffle a bit after a crazy run on wideouts took place in the first round. The former Cincinnati Bearcat was the12th receiver taken, as he landed in Indianapolis.
The Colts could look to him very early seeing as Michael Pittman Jr. has no true compliment opposite of him in the receiver room.
One of the biggest (6-foot-3, 211 pounds), yet smoothest wideouts in the class, Pierce has drawn comparisons to former Packers great Jordy Nelson. Pierce should be a favorite target of Matt Ryan’s as they each look to make their Colts debuts this fall.
Pierce can win in the 50-50 game, but he’s also skilled enough to beat defenders with his subtle quickness for his size. The 2021 National Semifinalist showed he has an all-around skill set overall, whether that’s downfield or working in the intermediate game.
Muma was a name I wanted to highlight on the defensive side of the ball. The Wyoming product should do well as a plug-and-play weakside linebacker for the Jaguars.
And while I like Muma’s workman-like traits and athleticism as a linebacker, his skills will only be accentuated due to the fact that he’ll be playing alongside fellow rookie LB Devin Lloyd inside.
Muma plays with a “hair on fire” type of activity on the field, which should help Jacksonville’s defense after it yielded over 6,000 total yards in 2021. He is an elite athlete at the position too, as he posted a 4.63 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical, 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump, as well as 27 bench press reps.
Hopefully, Muma and Lloyd together can have the type of success Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch saw as a young LB tandem with the Cowboys in 2018. As long as their health permits, Muma and Lloyd could live up to that potential as future Pro Bowl players.