Alec Pierce has been the Indianapolis Colts’ primary deep threat for a couple of seasons. The 25-year-old four-year veteran led the NFL in yards per reception in 2024 (22.3) and ’25 (21.3), snagging 13 touchdowns over those two years.
Every team covets that kind of production. As Colts teammate Michael Pittman Jr. said of Pierce mid-season: “If we don’t sign him quick, I mean, the price just keeps going up.”
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Spotrac estimates Pierce’s average annual value at $20.2 million, the sixth-highest among all 2026 free agents and third among receivers, trailing George Pickens and Jauan Jennings.
Will the Colts be able to keep Pierce, especially when quarterback Daniel Jones is also available in free agency?
Pro Football Focus top NFL free agents
∎ Pro Football Focus ranked 250 players, with Pierce coming in 10th overall and second among receivers to George Pickens. PFF projects a Pierce contract at four years for up to $96 million, with $45 million guaranteed.
«Pierce delivered a career year in 2025, ranking 16th among wide receivers in PFF receiving grade (81.0) and 17th in yards per route run (2.10),» PFF wrote. «A true downfield threat, he led the NFL in average depth of target (20.0) and yards per reception (21.3).»
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∎ Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News ranked 100 players, with Pierce seventh overall.
«Pierce is a speedy field-stretcher who keeps developing better as an intermediate route-runner with a chance for a bigger breakout soon as a No. 1,» Iyer wrote.
ESPN top 50 NFL free agents
∎ Matt Bowen of ESPN listed 50 players, and Pierce was sixth.
«A vertical stretch target at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch in 2025,» Bowen wrote. «He also topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark and brought in six touchdowns. Pierce has the straight-line speed to lift the safeties, creating open coverage voids underneath for other targets. With more volume and an increased role, he has the skills to produce as a multilevel route runner.»
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∎ Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports has Pierce sixth overall, and signing with the Washington Commanders.
«Coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters both expressed a desire to get younger and faster this offseason,» Pereles wrote. «Pierce is young (25) and fast: He’s led the NFL in yards per catch in consecutive seasons, and he became the first player since A.J. Brown in 2019 to go over 1,000 yards on at least 20 yards per catch. Other suitors: Colts, Raiders, Steelers, Bills.»
When does NFL free agency 2026 start?
The NFL new year begins at 4 p.m. ET March 11. A so-called «legal tampering» period, in which teams can negotiate with players and their agents, starts at noon ET March 9.
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What is the projected 2026 NFL salary cap?
Estimates range from $301.2 million to $305.7 million, though an official number will be revealed in early March. The 2025 salary camp was $279.2 million.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL free agency 2026: Will Indianapolis Colts sign wide receiver Alec Pierce?
