As we head into the 2026 NFL offseason, four teams - the Steelers, Raiders, Bills, and Commanders - are staring down a common problem: they need help at wide receiver, and they need it fast. Whether it's a lack of depth, a missing No. 1 option, or failed development of recent prospects, each of these franchises enters the spring with serious questions at one of the league’s most critical skill positions.
Let’s start in Las Vegas, where the Raiders are expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. That move - if it happens - would mark a new era for the franchise.
But the supporting cast around Mendoza is far from ideal. The Raiders don’t have a clear-cut WR1 on the roster, and the depth chart behind that is thin.
For a team potentially handing the keys to a rookie quarterback, that’s a problem. You don’t want your young passer trying to develop while throwing into tight windows with receivers who can’t separate.
Over in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have been trying to find a reliable No. 2 receiver for years. They’ve got DK Metcalf, who brings size, speed, and physicality to the outside.
But beyond him, it’s been a revolving door of underwhelming options. With defenses keying in on Metcalf, the Steelers' passing game has lacked balance - and it’s shown.
Finding a complement to DK is high on the offseason priority list.
Buffalo’s situation is arguably even more urgent. The Bills were hoping Keon Coleman would take a big leap in 2025, but that didn’t happen.
Now, there’s uncertainty about whether he’ll even be on the roster in 2026. Add in the fact that Joshua Palmer didn’t pan out either, and you’ve got a receiving corps that simply isn’t getting it done.
For a team that’s still trying to keep its championship window open, that’s a tough spot to be in.
Then there’s Washington. The Commanders have a cornerstone in Terry McLaurin, but the rest of the room is in flux.
Deebo Samuel is set to hit free agency and there’s no guarantee he’ll be back. If he walks, that leaves McLaurin as the lone proven playmaker at receiver - and that’s not enough in today’s NFL.
Enter Alec Pierce.
The Colts wideout is coming off the best season of his young career. He crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time, found the end zone six times, and - for the second year in a row - led the league in yards per reception.
That’s not just speed, that’s consistent, game-breaking explosiveness. At 25 years old, Pierce has become one of the league’s premier deep threats, and he’s doing it with a level of consistency that’s hard to find.
It’s no surprise, then, that Pierce is projected to command a significant payday in free agency - somewhere in the ballpark of four years and $80.99 million. That kind of number puts him in WR1 territory, and it’s a reflection of both his production and potential.
The Commanders may be the most intriguing fit. New head coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters have made it clear they want to get younger and faster this offseason.
Pierce checks both boxes. He’s not just a burner - he’s a vertical threat who can stretch the field and open up space underneath for other playmakers.
Pairing him with McLaurin could give Washington the kind of dynamic 1-2 punch that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
But they won’t be alone in pursuing him. The Steelers, Raiders, and Bills all have compelling reasons to make a run at Pierce.
Pittsburgh could finally find their WR2. Las Vegas could give their rookie quarterback a legitimate weapon.
And Buffalo? They’re desperate for a spark.
Of course, the Colts might not be ready to let him walk. Pierce has said he wants to stay in Indy, and the team is likely interested in keeping him.
But with Michael Pittman Jr. already on a big contract, the financial math gets tricky. Unless the Colts decide to move on from Pittman - which seems unlikely - it’s hard to see them matching the kind of deal Pierce is expected to land.
If he hits the open market, Alec Pierce will be one of the most sought-after wide receivers available. And for teams like the Commanders, Steelers, Raiders, and Bills, he’s exactly the kind of player who could change the complexion of their offense overnight.