Alec Pierce or Mark Andrews: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Andrews' featured role outweighs Pierce's slightly higher projection
Mark Andrews is the better play because his TE1 and red-zone role is anchored to a much stronger Baltimore scoring environment, while Alec Pierce's edge is mostly matchup-driven. Pierce's vertical profile gives him real splash-play upside, and his first full practice since activation eases the return concern (colts.com 2026-09-16), but his lighter role leaves more ways for the day to disappear. Andrews carries the steadier floor through quarterback rapport and heavier involvement, though Baltimore controlling the game could trim his late targets.
What flips it: A confirmed return to Pierce's full route load after his PUP activation.
Sources: colts.com · Sep 16, 2026
AI editor
Alec Pierce
7.39.211.1 Projected Points
Mark Andrews
6.78.410.2 Projected Points
Alec Pierce’s market
Mark Andrews’s market
Why Alec Pierce
Toss-UpOutside WR and primary deep threat. Big-bodied vertical winner with elite yards-per-catch profile.
Toss-up — WR39 consensus, projects WR37 this week: KC is the 4th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 21% target share.
- Pierce's deep-threat profile gives him a path to beat volume with one explosive connection.
- His return is trending positively after becoming a full practice participant for the first time since activation (colts.com 2026-09-16).
Latest on Pierce
Alec Pierce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice for the first time since being activated off PUP.
Practice Notebook: WR Alec Pierce a full participant in Wednesday's practicecolts.com · Sep 16, 2026With his hand X-rays negative, Pierce is expected to be ready to play in the Colts' Week 2 game at Kansas City, though he may not be a full practice participant leading up to the game.
CBS Sports · Sep 14, 2026The Colts on Wednesday conducted their first true game week practice ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce "should be good to go" for the team's season opener against the Ravens after having offseason ankle surgery, coach Shane Steichen said.
The wide receiver was activated from PUP August 27.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Mark Andrews
Start· mediumTE1 and red-zone mismatch. Veteran seam-stretcher with strong hands and quarterback rapport.
25% target share and 72% snaps in a 27-point implied offense — Andrews is a top-12 TE role even with a TE15 projection.
- Andrews' red-zone mismatch makes Baltimore's scoring chances especially valuable at tight end.
- His featured role offers a steadier floor, even if a comfortable Ravens lead reduces late-game passing.
The call
- A 25% target share is elite for the position; Andrews is the clear passing-game focal point at TE with a 72% snap share and no injury designation.
- Baltimore's 27.0 implied total and -7.5 spread point to a high-scoring, red-zone-heavy script, which is exactly where Andrews cashes in on touchdowns.
- The DvP composite of 12 of 32 reads mildly unfavorable, but it's a 1-game sample with 0.00 confidence — not enough to override the usage.
- Risk is the 10.1 projection and TE15 label: if Baltimore builds a lead and leans run, the volume ceiling narrows to a 6-8 point day.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Alec Pierce | Mark Andrews |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 7.39.211.1 | 6.78.410.2 |
| Consensus rank | WR39 | TE15 |
| Opponent vs position | KC · 4 of 321-game sample | NO · 12 of 321-game sample |
| Receptions | 3 of 32 | 18 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 3 of 32 | 17 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 1 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | 11 of 32 | 24 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Target share | 21% | 25% |
| Reception share | 21% | 24% |
| Implied total · spread | 20.5+6.5 | 27.0-7.5 |
| Depth chart | WR1 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 59% | 72% |
| Start/Sit record | 0–0+1 toss-up | 0–1 |
Recent form
Alec Pierce — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs BAL | 6.18.110.1 |
Mark Andrews — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs IND | 4.96.98.9 |
Signal breakdown
- 11.1 vs 10.2 projected PPR pointsAlec Pierce +
- Rank 39 vs 15Mark Andrews +
- Opponent DvP rank 4 vs 12 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 20.5 vs 27.0 team pointsMark Andrews +
- No injury designationseven
- 59% vs 72% snap shareMark Andrews +
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