GS. UNBELIEVABLE: Cowboys Are Targeting A “Speed Monster” In Round 2, Who Boasts A Sky-High 22.3 YPC Average, To Replace Pickens.

In a move that has the NFL world buzzing, the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly setting their sights on a blazing-fast wide receiver phenom as a potential contingency plan should George Pickens slip away in free agency. Dubbed a “Speed Monster” for his jaw-dropping ability to stretch the field, this second-round draft steal from 2022 could be the perfect heir apparent to Pickens’ explosive role in America’s Team offense. And get this: the target in question is none other than Indianapolis Colts standout Alec Pierce, whose league-leading 22.3 yards per catch (YPC) average last season has scouts salivating.

Pickens, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a shrewd midseason deal back in 2025, has been nothing short of a revelation in Dallas. The former Steelers second-rounder silenced his critics with a scorching start, racking up 49 receptions for 764 yards and six touchdowns through Week 10. That’s good for fourth in the NFL in receiving yards, all while averaging a silky-smooth 15.6 YPC. The Cowboys parted ways with a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth to land him, and it’s safe to say the investment has paid dividends in spades.

But as Pickens enters the final year of his rookie contract, whispers of a lucrative extension—or even the franchise tag—are growing louder. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped a bombshell on November 12, reporting that Dallas is prepared to slap the tag on Pickens if long-term talks stall. With his undeniable chemistry alongside Dak Prescott, it’s hard to imagine Jerry Jones letting this 6-foot-3 deep threat walk. Yet, in the unpredictable world of Cowboys football, where “anything is possible” might as well be the team slogan, the front office is wisely exploring backups. Enter Alec Pierce: the Colts’ forgotten gem who’s suddenly exploding into stardom.

A “Speed Monster” on the Horizon: Why Alec Pierce Fits Like a Glove

Cowboys Wire’s K.D. Drummond didn’t mince words when he floated Pierce as a prime free-agency target for 2026: “If the Cowboys don’t bring back Pickens, Pierce is looking like a beautiful consolation prize.” At 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Pierce mirrors Pickens’ imposing frame but brings a turbocharged twist to the table. While Pickens thrives on contested catches and route-running finesse, Pierce is pure vertical terror—a deep-ball assassin whose speed turns routine plays into highlight-reel sprints.

Drafted 53rd overall in the second round out of Cincinnati, Pierce has flown under the radar in Indy, partly due to shaky quarterback play in his early years. But with a more stable arm under center this season (yes, even Daniel Jones has unlocked his potential), Pierce is unleashing the beast. His career numbers through Week 10 of 2025? A respectable 138 catches for 2,516 yards and 12 touchdowns over four seasons, good for an eye-popping 18.5 YPC. Last year, he straight-up dominated the league with a NFL-best 22.3 YPC on just 37 grabs, converting them into 824 yards and seven scores. Fast-forward to now: 28 receptions for 585 yards and a touchdown, once again topping the charts at 20.9 YPC.

Drummond nailed it when he said Pierce’s “deep-threat ability mirrors Pickens’ impact on the Dallas offense.” Imagine Prescott dialing up those 50-yard lasers to a receiver who doesn’t just get open—he vanishes downfield. Pierce isn’t a volume guy; he’s an efficiency monster who forces defenses to play honest, opening lanes for the likes of CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert. And with the Colts likely prioritizing a monster extension for Jones, Indy’s cap space could dwindle, making Pierce a realistic free-agent splash for a contender like Dallas.

The Trade That Started It All: Pickens’ Dallas Dominance

Let’s not forget how we got here. The Cowboys’ blockbuster swap for Pickens—sending a future third and fifth to Pittsburgh in exchange for the receiver and a throwaway sixth-rounder—felt like a heist at the time. Now, it’s looking like daylight robbery. Pickens arrived in Dallas loaded with hype but haunted by questions about his consistency and off-field maturity. Four games in, and he’s answered every one with vintage swagger: leaping grabs over defenders, toe-tapping sideline daggers, and red-zone magic that has the Cowboys’ offense humming at peak efficiency.

Through 10 weeks, Pickens ranks among the elite in yards after catch and contested-catch percentage, proving he’s more than just a burner. His rapport with Prescott? Electric. The duo’s timing has been surgical, with Pickens’ YAC prowess turning short slants into chunk plays. If he maintains this pace, 2025 could etch his name as his career-best campaign—potentially 100-plus catches, 1,500 yards, and double-digit touchdowns. No wonder the Cowboys are desperate to lock him up before March 2026 hits.

What If? The Pierce Plan as Insurance Policy

Of course, Jerry Jones has a history of zigging when everyone expects a zag. Remember the Ezekiel Elliott saga? Or the tag-and-trade drama with Dak? If contract negotiations sour or Pickens’ injury bug bites (knock on wood), Dallas can’t afford to stand pat at wideout. Pierce represents the ideal Plan B: a proven Round 2 talent who’s still just 25, with three years of untapped upside ahead.

His explosiveness isn’t hype—it’s film-backed. Pierce’s 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the Combine wasn’t a fluke; it’s weaponized on Sundays. Defenses scheme to take him away, only for him to feast on the occasional look: 20-yard outs morphing into 40-yard gains, posts turning into touchdowns. Pair that with Prescott’s arm strength and Mike McCarthy’s play-calling, and you’ve got a nightmare for secondaries.

Financially, it pencils out too. Pierce’s next deal might command $15-18 million annually on the open market—steep, but a bargain compared to tagging Pickens (projected at $25 million-plus). And if the Cowboys strike gold with Pierce, they could flip him later for draft capital, à la the Steelers with Pickens himself.

Looking Ahead: A Star-Studded Future Either Way

As the 2025 season barrels toward the playoffs, all eyes are on Pickens to keep torching secondaries and on the Cowboys to navigate their cap crunch. Fowler’s franchise-tag intel suggests Dallas isn’t sweating—yet. But Drummond’s Pierce prediction adds a thrilling “what if” to the mix, turning free agency into must-watch drama.

Whether it’s Pickens re-upping for the long haul or Pierce injecting fresh lightning into the Star, the Cowboys’ receiving corps is primed for contention. One thing’s certain: with Dak at the helm, Dallas isn’t rebuilding—they’re reloading. Buckle up, Cowboys Nation. This offseason could be unforgettable.