The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to reshape their offense this offseason as the franchise prepares for a new era at quarterback. With the team widely expected to draft Fernando Mendoza in the 2026 NFL Draft, surrounding a rookie passer with experienced weapons is an obvious priority. One recent projection suggests Las Vegas may look to free agency to add help at wide receiver before the draft.
Raiders Linked to Alec Pierce in Free Agency Projection
A recent PFSN projection identified Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce as a potential free-agent target for the Raiders.
Pierce enters the market with 17 career touchdown receptions and is projected to command a two-year deal worth roughly $22 million per season. Pierce had a breakout season last year with the Indianapolis Colts and has developed into an explosive downfield threat.
PFSN NFL analyst Jacob Infante wrote, “With his 21.3 yards per reception in 2025, Alec Pierce became the first player since Flipper Anderson in 1989 and 1990 to lead the NFL in yards per reception in consecutive seasons. He’s surpassed 20.0 yards per reception each of the last two years, carving out a strong niche for himself in the Colts’ offense.
Despite having fewer than 50 catches in every season he’s played thus far, Pierce has been a reliable starter in Indianapolis and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his NFL career in 2025. His 84.6 WRi score ranks ninth in the league and beats out notable stars like Nico Collins, CeeDee Lamb, and Justin Jefferson.
Pierce dropped just one of his 84 targets in Indianapolis this year, and his targeted passer rating in 2025 was a stellar 113.7. He’s a high-end complementary weapon with the size and speed to add an explosive element to any offense.”
Fernando Mendoza Projection Signals New Direction for Raiders
Adding a vertical threat like Pierce in free agency would expand the Raiders’ offense and give them a reliable downfield target as the team prepares for a potential quarterback transition.
Mendoza is widely viewed as the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 draft class. The former Indiana standout led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten championship and a national title. Last season, Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 444 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, finishing with a 93.3 PFSN College QB Impact score.
The Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as head coach to lead a franchise overhaul. Pairing a rookie quarterback with a first-year head coach, who is also heavily involved in offensive play calling, would create a natural reset for the unit. Las Vegas already has All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and emerging backfield weapon Ashton Jeanty in place.
Adding a proven deep threat would give the offense another explosive element as the team builds around its next franchise quarterback.
