The New England Patriots made some notable moves at wide receiver this past season that have transformed their team. Stefon Diggs was added on a three-year deal and has been an incredible addition, Mack Hollins has been excellent as a deep threat, and rookie Kyle Williams has made his impact felt with two touchdowns on only five catches this year.
Aside from these additions, Kayshon Boutte has broken out, and Pop Douglas is thriving in his new role; he's now PFF's 11th-highest graded wideout. Efton Chism III hasn't played much offense, but the UDFA has found a role as a kick returner.
Despite the wide receivers being vastly improved and the passing offense being one of the best in the league, there's still a desire to add another wideout in New England.
The draft offers some interesting options: Chris Brazzell of Tennessee is a physically imposing threat, while Louisville's Chris Bell has many similarities to Deebo Samuel. Jakobi Meyers and Jauan Jennings were two names tossed around at the deadline, and they're both set to be free agents this spring.
There have been plenty of ideas for the way New England could bulk up at receiver, but Phil Perry suggests a new and interesting name: Alec Pierce. The Colt and former Cincinnati Bearcat has been a solid deep threat for the past few seasons in Indianapolis, and will look to cash in come the offseason.
The Patriots should avoid free agent Alec Pierce like the plague during the 2026 offseason
Pierce is on pace for his best season yet. He's played 11 games, catching 38 balls for 769 yards and a pair of touchdowns, all while averaging 20.2 yards per catch. He would need four more catches and 56 more yards to tie his career bests in each category, and is on pace for 1,000 yards despite missing two games.
Pierce excels in his role, but the price is far too steep. It's suggested he'll likely be in the $20 million-per-year range. For context, Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs each received around $22 million per year.
While he's maybe the best pure deep threat in football next to Jameson Williams, it's difficult to justify paying a one-dimensional player so much, particularly when they've never been a high-volume player. He's never had more than 41 catches in a season, and while he'll eclipse that this year, it won't be by much. He also has just three career games with more than five catches (60 games played).
The Patriots already roster deep threats as well. Boutte is fourth in yards per catch, and Pop Douglas is 19th. New England is one of three teams with two or more players in the top twenty of the stat: the Cowboys (Lamb and Pickens) and the Giants (Slayton and Nabers).
Pierce also ranks first in air yards per target, a stat that accentuates deep threats. Boutte ranks fifth in this stat, while Mack Hollins comes in 21st. Kyle Williams also averaged 17.1 yards per catch during his final year in college.
Signing Pierce, especially for such an enormous price tag, would be an unnecessary addition, as he would be surplus to the weapons they already have. Should Pierce get $20 million per season, Hollins' current contract would be a 79% discount comparatively, while Boutte's deal is 95% cheaper.
The team would be far better off putting cash towards a star, like A.J. Brown, should he be made available. Brandon Aiyuk will likely be released, and rumors have circled Miami stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
While making a move for a wide receiver is understandable, Pierce shouldn't be the player the team invests in.