Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is pacing to lead the NFL in yards per reception for the second consecutive season. It speaks to his status as arguably the best deep threat in the business.
Pierce's elite field-stretching prowess alone makes him a valuable asset. However, he isn't just a one-trick pony that relies on go balls. Colts fans have watched the 2022 second-round pick develop into a more well-rounded contributor who's proven capable of winning on all three levels.
It's been a slow burn for Pierce since getting drafted by the Colts. Nevertheless, his efforts have culminated in a breakout campaign, and the timing couldn't be much better -- for him at least.
Currently playing out the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, Pierce has positioned himself for a massive raise in the coming months. The Colts will have to pony up if they feel he's part of their long-term plans, and even that might not be enough.
Colts breakout star Alec Pierce's days in Indianapolis feel numbered
As of this writing, the Colts project to have the sixth-most cap space available this forthcoming offseason (h/t Spotrac). So, they have the means to sign Pierce to the lucrative extension he figures to command in unrestricted free agency. Yet, his presumably high price tag and Indianapolis' crowded offense may complicate matters.
Beyond Pierce, Indianapolis boasts one of the league's deeper receiving rooms, including Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. They also have a rising star in rookie tight end Tyler Warren and perhaps football's premier running back, Jonathan Taylor. With that in mind, paying Pierce upwards of $20-plus million annually can be considered more of a luxury than a necessity.
An embarrassment of riches is enough for the Colts to at least think about putting Pierce on the back burner. Not to mention, other outstanding contract situations must be addressed, namely, injured quarterback Daniel Jones and right tackle Braden Smith.
Nevertheless, losing Pierce would be a massive blow for the Colts. He leads the team in receiving yards and has accounted for nearly half of their air yards (41.5 percent) in 2025 through Week 16. Moreover, his 12.27 yards per target ranks fifth out of 132 wideouts who have caught at least 10 passes.
We've seen Pierce do damage on multiple routes, specifically outs, crossers, digs, and comebacks. The Cincinnati product isn't a matchup-based player and has been effective against any look. He ranks in the top 35 in yards per route run versus man, zone, and single-high coverage among 152 receivers (minimum 75 routes run). Add it all up, and it's culminating in him pacing for the first 1,000-yard season of his career.
Note: Stats courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite ($).