The Indianapolis Colts are still waiting for Alec Pierce to return to the field, but one projection is bullish on the veteran wide receiver entering 2026.
A SportsLine model featured by CBS Sports identified Pierce as one of its top fantasy football sleepers.
Pierce currently has an average draft position around No. 75 overall, according to CBS. The model, however, ranks him ahead of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Malik Nabers, who are getting selected much earlier.
That optimism follows the best season of Pierce’s career.
The 26-year-old caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 while averaging 21.3 yards per reception. Pierce led the NFL in yards per catch for a second consecutive season and became the first player since Flipper Anderson in 1989-90 to average at least 20 yards per reception on 35-plus catches in consecutive years.
Indianapolis rewarded Pierce with a four-year contract this offseason.
The key necessity entering Week 1 is his health. Pierce underwent ankle surgery in March and has yet to return to practice. General manager Chris Ballard said last week there has been no setback and that the Colts’ plan for Pierce to be ready for Week 1 remains unchanged.
Assuming Pierce is available, CBS’ projection suggests his draft-day price might undersell his upside.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: CBS model high on Colts WR Alec Pierce in fantasy rankings
Reporting by Duncan Day, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Duncan Day, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
