The Denver Broncos lack playmakers on offense and it hindered their success in 2025. Adding a receiver like Alec Pierce would transform their receiver room.
The Denver Broncos got so close to advancing to the Super Bowl but failed to do so for a multitude of reasons.
Starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle fracture, Head Coach Sean Payton made questionable decisions down the stretch and heavy snow dictated the final score of the American Football Conference Championship Game.
While the Broncos were 14-3 and were a game away from the big dance, the team did face problems offensively and on special teams.
Both units were wildly inconsistent, and special teams were even responsible for a few losses this year, but the lack of firepower offensively should have been more of a concern prior to the start of the season.
Prior to veteran running back J.K. Dobbins getting hurt in Week 10, the tandem of Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey was one of the best in the league. Harvey was arguably the best rookie in the National Football League and the running game wasn’t a problem until the very end.
No disrespect to the receiving weapons Denver has on its current roster; receiver Courtland Sutton is a dog, Marvin Mims Jr. is crafty and Troy Franklin came into his own as the season progressed.
However, that room lacks playmakers. Even All-Pro left tackle Garett Bolles made comments regarding the lack of playmakers on the team, which are strong words for a pivotal player on the offense.
Sutton is a great deep threat option who can go up and get any 50/50 ball, but he lacks speed which makes it more difficult to create separation. There’s a receiver who is expected to be a free agent that excels at all of these things and he’s coming off a 1,000-yard season.
Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce would transform Denver’s receiving room greatly and would be a tremendous fit alongside Sutton despite both being ‘X’ receivers.
“A vertical stretch target at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch in 2025,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote Wednesday. “He also topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark and brought in six touchdowns. Pierce has the straight-line speed to lift the safeties, creating open coverage voids underneath for other targets. With more volume and an increased role, he has the skills to produce as a multilevel route runner.”
Pierce showed that he can be an asset anywhere on the field and if he were to play with Sutton, that would alleviate a lot of the pressure on Denver’s No. 1 receiver. Pierce was targeted 84 times but caught just 47 passes. Still, he averaged 21.3 yards per catch which allowed him to reach the 1,000-yard plateau.
Pierce is the playmaker the Broncos are looking for and Bowen ranked him the sixth-best free agent this offseason.