Pierre Desir

The Cleveland Browns selected Desir in the fourth round with the 127th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He became the first player from Lindenwood to ever be selected in the NFL Draft and was the 15th cornerback drafted in 2014.[7][8]

Pierre Desir at the Browns Training Camp in 2014.

On May 29, 2014, the Cleveland Browns signed Desir to a four-year, $2.62 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $407,612.[9][10]

Throughout training camp, Desir competed to be a backup cornerback against Isaiah Trufant and Leon McFadden.[11] Head coach Mike Pettine named Desir the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Joe Haden, Buster Skrine, and Justin Gilbert.[12] Desir was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first 12 games of the regular season. On November 30, 2014, Desir made his professional regular season debut during a 26–10 loss at the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. On December 21, 2014, Desir earned his first career start and collected a season-high seven solo tackles and broke up two pass attempts during a 17–13 loss at the Carolina Panthers in Week 16.[13] He finished his rookie season in 2014 with nine solo tackles and two pass deflections in five games and one start.[14]

During training camp, Desir competed for a roster spot as the third cornerback against Justin Gilbert, Charles Gaines, Robert Nelson, and K'Waun Williams.[15] Head coach Mike Pettine named Desir the fourth cornerback on the Cleveland Browns' depth chart to begin the regular season. He was listed on the depth chart behind Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, and K'Waun Williams.[16] In Week 6, Desir collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (ten solo) and deflected one pass during a 26–23 loss against the Denver Broncos. He was inactive during the Browns' Week 12 loss against the Baltimore Ravens and a Week 14 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.[17][18] Desir finished the 2015 NFL season with 37 combined tackles (30 solo) and five pass deflections in 14 games and six starts.[14]

On January 4, 2016, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer after they finished with a 3–13 record.[19] Throughout training camp, Desir competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Justin Gilbert, Charles Gaines, Trey Williams, and Jamar Taylor.[20][21] On September 3, 2016, the Cleveland Browns officially waived Desir as part of their final roster cuts.[22]

On September 4, 2016, the San Diego Chargers claimed Desir off of waivers.[23] Head coach Mike McCoy named Desir the fifth cornerback on the Chargers' depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers, Casey Hayward, and Craig Mager.[24] On October 22, 2016, the Chargers released Desir, but re-signed him two days later, only to be released again on October 29, 2016.[25][26][27]

On November 2, 2016, the Seattle Seahawks signed Desir to their practice squad.[28]

On January 16, 2017, the Seahawks signed Desir to a one-year, $790,000 reserve/future contract.[29] Throughout training camp, Desir competed to be a backup cornerback against Mike Tyson, Tramaine Brock, Neiko Thorpe, Demetrius McCray, and DeAndre Elliott.[30] On September 2, 2017, the Seattle Seahawks waived Desir as part of their final roster cuts.[31]

On September 3, 2017, the Indianapolis Colts claimed Desir off of waivers.[32] Head coach Chuck Pagano named Desir the sixth cornerback on the Colts' depth chart, behind Vontae Davis, Rashaan Melvin, Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, and Kenny Moore.[33]

Desir earned a starting role in Week 8 after he surpassed Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, and Kenny Moore on the depth chart. He replaced Vontae Davis who was released on November 9, 2017,[34] On November 12, 2017, Desir collected a season-high eight combined tackles, deflected two passes, and made his first career interception during a 20–17 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. Desir intercepted a pass by Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, that was originally intended for wide receiver Martavis Bryant, during the first quarter.[35] On December 3, 2017, Desir suffered a shoulder injury as the Colts lost 30–10 at the Jacksonville Jaguars. On December 4, 2017, the Colts placed Desir on injured reserve.[36] He finished the season with 32 combined tackles (21 solo), seven pass deflections, and one interception in nine games and six starts.[14]

On March 20, 2018, the Colts signed Desir to a one-year, $1.75 million contract that included $750,000 guaranteed.[37] Throughout training camp, Desir competed to be a starting cornerback against Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, and Kenny Moore.[38] Head coach Frank Reich named Desir the third cornerback on the Colts' depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Kenny Moore and Nate Hairston.[39] On September 30, 2018, Desir made five solo tackles, broke up a pass attempt, and intercepted a pass during a 37–34 loss against the Houston Texans. In Week 6, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 42–34 loss at the New York Jets.[40] He finished the 2018 NFL season with 79 combined tackles (60 solo), eight pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and 12 starts.[14] Desir received an overall grade of 77.5 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked as the 18th best overall grade among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2018.[41]

On March 13, 2019, Desir signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Colts with $12 million guaranteed.[42][43] In Week 7 against the Houston Texans, Desir recorded his first interception of the season off Deshaun Watson in the 30–23 win.[44] In Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, Desir recorded two interceptions off passes thrown by rookie quarterback Will Grier during the 38–6 win.[45]

On March 21, 2020, Desir was released by the Indianapolis Colts.[46]

On April 2, 2020, the New York Jets signed Desir to a one year contract worth up to $5.5 million.[47][48]

In Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, Desir recorded his first interception as a Jet off a pass thrown by Nick Mullens during the 31–13 loss.[49] In Week 4 against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, Desir recorded two interceptions off of passes thrown by quarterback Brett Rypien, including a pick six, in the 37–28 loss.[50] He also gave up a 48 yard touchdown reception to Broncos rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy during the game. On November 17, 2020, Desir was waived by the Jets.[51] Despite being waived, Desir was named the Jets nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.[52]

On November 28, 2020, Desir was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad.[53] He was elevated to the active roster on December 8, December 19, and December 26 for the team's weeks 13, 15, and 16 games against the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Giants, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[54][55][56] He was elevated again on January 15, 2021, for the team's divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, and reverted to the practice squad again following the game.[57] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 25, 2021.[58]

Desir signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 23, 2021.[59] He was released on August 24, 2021.[60]

On September 13, 2021, Desir was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the practice squad.[61] He was promoted to the active roster on October 2, 2021.[62] He played in twelve games with the team, both as a cornerback and on special teams.[63]