Pittman's stock skyrocketed last August following constant training camp reports of his budding rapport with Matt Ryan, but the breakout never happened. The entire situation couldn't have been worse for Pittman, changing quarterbacks and play-callers during the season. In Week 1 his 27.1 points in PPR made it look like he was on route to besting his WR21 per-game finish during his breakout 2021 season, but he topped 20 points just once after that and had five games where he didn't even reach double-digit points. The silver lining despite all of the chaos is that Pittman earned a 25.6% target share (17th-best) and nearly reached the triple-digit receptions mark (99). Rookie QB Anthony Richardson can get the ball to Pittman on the vertical plane and rookies tend to lean on one target, so Pittman has a strong opportunity to best his ADP and return value as soon as the middle of the fifth round of your drafts.
Pittman recorded nine catches on 11 targets for 77 yards in Sunday's 22-19 overtime win over the Ravens.
Pittman led the team in receptions and yards while also drawing double-digit targets for the third consecutive game to begin the season. His stat line was modest given the volume, though he still accounted for long gains of 34 and 13 yards. As his stat lines have indicated to this point, Pittman doesn't have the highest upside, but he has a locked-in role in the Colts' offense and is particularly trustworthy in PPR-scoring formats.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Eight catches in Week 2 win
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Pittman secured eight of 12 targets for 56 yards in the Colts' 31-20 win over the Texans on Sunday. He also committed a fumble that was recovered by Indianapolis.
Pittman led the Colts in receptions and receiving yards on a day when Anthony Richardson (concussion) and Gardner Minshew spread the ball around to eight different targets. Pittman has been as busy as expected over the first two games, recording 16 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown on 23 targets. He'll look to keep up his strong start with either Richardson or Minshew under center in a Week 3 road matchup against the Ravens.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
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The Colts learned their lesson and should involve Pittman plenty moving forward. But unless he breaks through for more large gains every week, there could be some disappointing sub-15 PPR stat lines. A reminder: he fell below 15 PPR points 10 times in 16 games last year. But it didn't happen in two games against the Texans, and even though Houston's pass defense looked better than expected last week, I don't think they can keep Pittman from getting catches this week. In PPR I'm happy to start him over Terry McLaurin, Christian Kirk and Zay Flowers, but in half- or non-PPR I'd put those guys ahead of him.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: WRs to Sit
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I loved seeing Pittman get 11 targets from Anthony Richardson in Week 1 against Jacksonville, and he converted them into eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. That's very encouraging for his outlook moving forward, and you can still start Pittman in three-receiver leagues in Week 2 against the Texans. But I'd pump the brakes about using Pittman in all formats this week. Houston has allowed just six touchdowns to receivers in the past 18 games going back to last year, which is the fewest in the NFL. Now, Pittman has two of them, so keep that in mind, but I don't want to overvalue Pittman yet despite his strong debut with Richardson in Week 1.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Finds end zone in Sunday's loss
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Pittman caught eight of 11 targets for 97 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Jaguars.
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson quickly realized Pittman was his most reliable option, leaning on him heavily with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. No other Colts player managed more than 39 receiving yards on the afternoon -- a total Pittman matched on a single play when he took a third-quarter screen pass 39 yards to the end zone. Richardson left Sunday's loss late with a bruised knee, but whether the 2023 fourth overall pick is under center in Week 2 or gets replaced by Gardner Minshew, Pittman will be a big part of the Indy game plan against the Texans.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: WRs to Sit
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Pittman had his best game of the 2022 season in Week 6 against Jacksonville with 13 catches for 134 yards on 16 targets. Matt Ryan was locked in on Pittman in that game, and Ryan attempted 58 passes in that outing. Anthony Richardson isn't going to throw that much, and Pittman will probably need a hefty amount of volume to be successful. I'd love to see Richardson connect with Pittman for some big plays down the field, but I need to see it first. Until that happens, Pittman is just a low-end starter at best in three-receiver leagues.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Targeted five times
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Pittman caught two of his team-high five targets for 24 yards in Thursday's 27-13 preseason win over the Eagles.
Pittman accounted for five of the targets from Anthony Richardson, who completed only six of his 17 passes for 78 yards. The rookie may do wonders for a rushing game that appears highly unlikely to have RB Jonathan Taylor, but Richardson doesn't figure to do much for Pittman's production. The good news is that he's locked in as the top option in the passing game ahead of a Week 1 matchup with Jacksonville, and there's potential for better stats as Richardson develops or if he really hones in on Pittman as his go-to guy.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Cleared for action
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Pittman (hip) had one reception (three targets) for nine yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Bills.
Pittman was dealing with a hip injury during camp, so his availability for Saturday's tilt bodes well for his health heading into the regular season. The 25-year-old will be a starter for the Colts this season, but it is still unclear who will be throwing him the ball (which could affect his fantasy value). Rookie Anthony Richardson started Saturday's game, but he made a couple rookie mistakes including an interception. Veteran Gardner Minshew might be the preferred starter for those investing in Pittman, as his production is easier to project week-to-week compared to a 21-year-old raw prospect.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Takes first-team reps to open camp
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Pittman (hip) handled first-team reps during Wednesday's first practice of training camp, Jake Arthur of SI.com reports.
The Colts are expected to ease Pittman into practices after he missed time during the spring due to a hip injury, but he was able to get some team work in on the first day of camp. The 2020 second-round pick has said he feels 100 percent healthy, so fantasy managers have little reason to be concerned about his status for Week 1 even if Indianapolis opts to ramp up his workload slowly. Being available for all of camp will be key for Pittman as he works to build chemistry with new quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Will be eased back into action
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The Colts plan to ease Pittman back into action during training camp after offseason hip surgery, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Pittman missed some time during spring work and says he's 100 percent recovered, but the team is going to be cautious with their No. 1 receiver. His status for Week 1 isn't in jeopardy at the moment.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Managing hip issue
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Pittman didn't participate at Friday's practice due to a hip injury, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
Head coach Shane Steichen indicated it's not a serious issue, saying the injury is "nothing crazy." Pittman appears as though he'll be ready for the start of training camp, which is nearly two months away. The 25-year-old led the Colts last season with 99 receptions for 925 yards and four touchdowns, and he'll remain the No. 1 wideout for 2023 while entering a contract year.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Not focused on extension
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Pittman recently told reporters he isn't worried about his contract and is letting his agent handle extension talks, Zak Keefer of The Athletic reports. "If it doesn't happen this year, that's no big deal," Pittman said. "It'll happen eventually, right?"
The 2020 second-round pick doesn't seem to have a holdout in mind for his contract year after a disappointing 2022 for both him personally and the Indianapolis offense as a whole. The team now has a new coaching staff and two new QBs, with Gardner Minshew and fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson expected to compete for the Week 1 start. Pittman drew 60 more targets than any of his teammates in 2021 (129) and 50 more in 2022 (141), making him a huge favorite to lead the Colts in receiving again after the team's most notable offseason additions at WR were a rookie third-round pick (Josh Downs) and a 28-year-old who got less than $500,000 guaranteed on his contract (Isaiah McKenzie). The Colts also parted ways with Parris Campbell, who finished second on the team in targets and receiving last year and whose presence may have blocked Pittman from getting more slot snaps.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Touchdown grab to close out season
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Pittman secured three of five targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 32-31 loss to the Texans on Sunday. He also rushed once for no gain and recovered a fumble.
Pittman was able to finish a solid third season by recording a touchdown grab for a second consecutive game on a one-yard catch late in the first quarter to open the scoring for the Colts. Pittman finished a campaign that was marred by a revolving door of mostly pedestrian quarterback play for the Colts just one reception short of 100, but he did cross the 900-yard threshold and also tallied four touchdowns. The 2020 second-round pick is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, and given his impressive body of work over the last two seasons in particular, it remains to be seen if he and the club talk contract extension this offseason.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Finds end zone in lopsided loss
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Pittman secured six of eight targets for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 38-10 loss to the Giants on Sunday.
Pittman led the Colts in receptions and targets while checking in second in receiving yardage. The sure-handed receiver's six-yard scoring grab late in the third quarter served as the only touchdown of the day for Indianapolis, and his production on the day left him just four receptions short of the 100-catch mark for the season, as well as five yards shy of the 900-yard threshold. Pittman has just three touchdowns overall in 2022, so he'll look to improve on that tally in a Week 18 home matchup against the Texans.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: WRs to Sit
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It was tough to watch Pittman play in Week 16 against the Chargers with Nick Foles under center, and Pittman was held to four catches for 39 yards on seven targets. That was the first time all season where he had at least seven targets and didn't score at least 10 PPR points. It will be difficult to trust Pittman again in Week 17 since Foles is starting again, even in PPR, and we know Pittman has been underwhelming in non- and 0.5-PPR leagues with just two touchdowns on the season. Hopefully, the Colts can fix their quarterback situation for 2023 and then Pittman can fully have a breakout campaign.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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The matchup should be conducive for Pittman to pick up some catches and yards, but Pittman himself doesn't do a lot after the catch, and he's rare to score. If you start Pittman, you're banking on his volume to increase from last week. That's possible, but he may max out on six catches for 60 yards. It keeps Pittman squarely in the PPR flex range, and lower than normal. I'd rather start Gabe Davis, Zay Jones and Brandin Cooks in any format.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Possible Bust (Lineup Decisions)
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Might Pittman's huge target share be at risk with Foles under center. Foles' track record suggests he will utilize others in the passing game besides his big lug wideout. If it happens then Pittman will disappoint. Tack on the Chargers' best strength defensively (they stink against the run) and it could be a less-than-great output for Pittman. He's safest as a flex ahead of Drake London, Darius Slayton and any receivers in the Saints-Browns game.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Racks up 10 catches in OT loss
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Pittman caught 10 of 14 targets for 60 yards and rushed twice for 30 yards in Saturday's 39-36 overtime loss to the Vikings.
Pittman caught a lucky break in the second quarter, as the officials ruled that his forward progress was stopped at the end of a short catch, negating what would have been a fumble returned for a touchdown by the Vikings defense. He was the only Colts player to record more than two catches in a game that saw the team build up a 33-0 halftime lead, only to watch it slip away in the second half. Pittman remained the featured option through the air in overtime, contributing 24 yards on three catches, but the Colts ultimately punted on their only drive of OT before the Vikings won it with a field goal. Another boatload of short targets likely awaits Pittman in Week 16 against the Chargers.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: WRs to Start
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Pittman should be considered a must-start Fantasy receiver in PPR and a flex option in non- and 0.5-PPR leagues at Minnesota. This should be a game where he gets seven-plus targets, which has happened nine times this season, and he scored at least 12 PPR points in seven of those outings. He's also averaging 15.9 PPR points in those games. There have been 17 receivers with at least seven targets against the Vikings this year, and 15 of them have scored at least 13 PPR points. Minnesota is No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Pittman should have a standout game in this matchup. You can also consider Parris Campbell and Alec Pierce as sleepers for this week.
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Colts' Michael Pittman: Flex Starter (Lineup Decisions)
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I would expect Pittman to see a bounce-back in targets, but his lack of involvement in high-value situations makes him pretty risky. At least the matchup is solid enough to consider Pittman a quality PPR flex, but more of a guy to avoid in non-PPR. I'd rather start Brandon Aiyuk and Christian Watson, but I'd take my chances with Pittman in PPR over Allen Lazard or a Steelers receiver.
