MichaelPittman Jr.

News: 4 days agoPittman brought in three of seven targets for 21 yards in the Colts' 16-10 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

Spin: Pittman tied Alec Pierce for the team led in targets and even had the Colts' second-most receptions, but as his final line indicates, he did little with them. The possession receiver has had trouble establishing much rapport with Anthony Richardson through his first two games despite his past success with multiple other quarterbacks, mustering only seven receptions for 52 yards on 15 targets over the first pair of contests. Pittman will aim to turn around the slow start in a Week 3 home matchup against a tough Bears defense.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: A steady career progression as a sure-handed receiver earned Pittman a big extension from the Colts heading into his fifth season. The son of a former bruising running back, Pittman handles a physical, possession role that includes rare volume, as he finished ninth in total targets and fifth in receptions in 2023. A touchdown-per-target rate of just 3.1% as a pro and a modest average depth of target clip the past two seasons have resulted in WR2 outcomes for Pittman. As the likely first read for Anthony Richardson on most dropbacks this season, Pittman enters the season with a stable floor for WR2 production and the upside for a new tier of value. Targeting Pittman after the crop of true WR1 options are taken could prove savvy.