Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
With the franchise tag deadline passed, there were some surprising names to slip through the cracks, and they are now set to test the open market.
One of the top names across the league will be Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. While the Colts did place the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, no tag was placed, nor was any agreement reached with Pierce.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The transition tag for Daniel Jones means Alec Pierce — one of the league’s top free agents — is free. pic.twitter.com/fae0SklPKY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2026
The No. 53 selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce was a highly-touted prospect out of Cincinnati.
The New Orleans Saints are expected to pursue more talent at wide receiver this offseason and Pierce would be a worthwhile pursuit. However, his market demand could come with a lofty price tag.
Pierce’s Measureables
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 211 pounds
- Arm length: 33 inches
- 40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds
- Vertical: 40.5 inches
- Broad jump: 10-foot-9
- 3-cone: 7.13 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.28 seconds
- RAS: 9.83
Pierce’s 2025 Statistics
- Catches: 47
- Receiving yards: 1,003
- Touchdown receptions: 6
The big-bodied wideout could be a perfect fit in head coach Kellen Moore’s offense. Not only does he have a great size and speed, he is a real height/weight/speed player. He has excellent ball tracking ability, as well.
This combination of traits has made him one of the league’s most lethal downfield threats.
Just in case you’re wondering why every team wants Alec Pierce
47 REC / 1,003 YDS / 6 TDS
One of the best vertical threats in the NFL today pic.twitter.com/o96W4noe0T
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) March 4, 2026
Over the last two seasons, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per reception across qualified receivers. He tallied a whopping 22.3 average in 2024 and followed that up with an impressive 21.3 clip last year.
He’s a high-level separator with a ceiling left to be reached as a route-runner, an area in which he’s consistently made strides. He can make some impressive catches in tough situations thanks to his body control, which has been a constant plus in his evaluation since the draft process.
The 2022 second-round pick would cost the Saints a pretty penny. With an extension still in place for incumbent receiver Chris Olave, Pierce’s estimated $20.2 market value may be too big an investment for the Saints to undertake. That estimate is likely on the low-end of what he could actually receive.
While New Orleans is on its way to its best financial situation in years, there’s still a way to go with needs along the offensive line likely taking precedence with spending.
