The New York Giants have a clear need this offseason: find a legitimate vertical threat to line up opposite Malik Nabers and give second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart a weapon who can stretch the field. And with free agency around the corner in March, the answer might be out there-and his name is Alec Pierce.
Pierce, the 6-foot-3, 211-pound wide receiver from the Indianapolis Colts, is set to hit the open market. Over the last two seasons, he’s quietly become one of the league’s most dangerous deep threats, averaging a staggering 21.75 yards per catch on 84 receptions. That’s not just productive-that’s game-breaking.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pierce ranks as the 10th-best free agent available this offseason, and the Giants are listed as his best potential landing spot. It’s not hard to see why.
Since the start of the 2024 season, Pierce has earned an 81.6 PFF receiving grade-good enough to place him among the top 25 receivers in the league. He’s also tied for third in the NFL in receptions on throws 20-plus yards downfield, with 24 of them.
That’s the kind of stat that jumps off the page-and onto the scouting report of every defensive coordinator in the league.
Now, zoom out and look at the Giants’ offense. Jaxson Dart came into the NFL with a reputation for pushing the ball downfield.
During his final two seasons in college, he led the Power Four in deep passing attempts. That aggressive mindset carried over into his rookie year, where the Giants posted the league’s highest deep passing rate.
The problem? They didn’t have the personnel to fully capitalize on it.
Nabers is a budding star, but there wasn’t a consistent vertical threat to take the top off defenses. That’s where Pierce fits in like a glove.
Plug Pierce into that offense, and suddenly you’ve got a quarterback who loves to throw deep, a rookie receiver who can win at all three levels, and a proven vertical weapon who can stretch the field and force safeties to backpedal. That’s a recipe for explosive plays-and for putting real pressure on opposing defenses.
Of course, adding a player like Pierce won’t be cheap. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted that Pierce could command something in the neighborhood of $30 million per year in free agency.
That puts the franchise tag squarely in play, with the 2026 tag for wide receivers projected at $28.1 million and a second tag in 2027 jumping to at least $33.7 million. If Pierce does hit the open market, he could be looking at a deal with at least $62 million guaranteed over the first two seasons.
That’s a hefty price tag, especially for a player who hasn’t consistently profiled as a WR1 over his career. But when you have true top-end speed and a proven ability to make plays downfield, that kind of skillset is going to get paid. And for a Giants team looking to take the next step with a young quarterback and an emerging offense, Pierce might be exactly the kind of high-upside investment worth making.