Alec Pierce has been the primary deep threat for the Indianapolis Colts for several seasons. The 25-year-old fourth-year veteran led the NFL in yards per catch in 2024 (22.3) and 2025 (21.3), scoring 13 touchdowns in those two years.
Every team aspires to this kind of output. As Colts teammate Michael Pittman said of Pierce midseason: “If we don’t sign him soon, I mean, the price is just going to keep going up.”
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Spotrac estimates Pierce’s average annual value at $20.2 million, which would rank sixth among all free agents in 2026 and third among receivers behind George Pickens and Ja’an Jennings.
Can the Colts keep Pierce, especially if quarterback Daniel Jones also hits free agency?
Pro Football Focus NFL’s top free agents
∎ Pro Football Focus ranked 250 players, with Pierce ranked 10th overall and second among receivers behind George Pickens. PFF expects to sign Pierce to a four-year contract worth up to $96 million, with $45 million guaranteed.
“Pierce is having a career year in 2025, ranking 16th among PFF wide receivers in receiving grade (81.0) and 17th in yards per route run (2.10),” PFF wrote. “He is a true threat downfield and leads the NFL in average depth of target (20.0) and yards per catch (21.3).”
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∎ Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News ranked Pierce seventh among the top 100 players.
“Pierce is a speedy field extender who continues to improve as an intermediate runner and has a chance to break into the No. 1 spot soon,” Ayer wrote.
ESPN’s top 50 NFL free agents
∎ ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed 50 players, with Pierce ranked sixth.
“Pierce is 6-foot-3, 211 pounds with a 2025 vertical reach target and a league-high 21.3 yards per catch,” Bowen wrote. “He also surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark and scored six touchdowns. Pierce’s straight-line speed can elevate safeties and create open coverage underneath for other targets. With more bulk and an expanded role, he has the skillset to be a multi-level runner.”
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∎ CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles has Pierce going No. 6 overall and signing with the Washington Commanders.
“Coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have both expressed a desire to get younger and faster this offseason,” Pereles wrote. “Pierce is young (25) and fast: He has led the NFL in yards per catch for consecutive seasons and became the first player since AJ Brown in 2019 to eclipse 1,000 yards per catch and at least 20 yards per catch. Other suitors: Colts, Raiders, Steelers, Bills.”
When does NFL free agency start in 2026?
The NFL New Year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. The so-called “legal tampering” period begins at noon ET on March 9, during which teams can negotiate with players and their agents.
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What is the projected NFL salary cap in 2026?
Costs are expected to be $301.2 million to $305.7 million, with official figures to be announced in early March. Salary in 2025 is $279.2 million.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts All season long. Get more coverage with IndyStarTV and the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: NFL Free Agency 2026: Will the Indianapolis Colts sign wide receiver Alec Pierce?
