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ESPN Fantasy Football fantasy football takes on Michael Pittman
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from ESPN Fantasy Football about Michael Pittman.
28
Insights
17
Positive
2
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Insight ledger
All ESPN Fantasy Football insights about Michael Pittman
PositiveRoleOct 8, 2026
Pittman has scored a total of 15.9 fantasy points in three games with the Steelers this season, down significantly from hitting that mark in six individual games with the Colts last season. Despite being on the field plenty with a 78% snap share and 72% route participation, he simply hasn't been on Aaron Rodgers' radar very often. Pittman's 11.1% target share is less than half of his 25.3% rate during the past five seasons; he's also yet to clear five targets in any game and has a total of just 31 yards on nine targets since returning from injury in Week 3. He belongs on benches or, in shallower leagues, left on the waiver wire.PositiveBustOct 7, 2026
There was significant conviction that Pittman would emerge as Aaron Rodgers' 2025 Kenny Gainwell in 2026, but that belief has been dispelled. Pittman ranks fourth on the team in target share and 91st overall at the position, having drawn 12 looks on 99 routes (12.1%), ranking outside of the top 75 players at the position. He has yet to post a top-40 fantasy positional finish. Rather than relying on Pittman, Rodgers has leaned on Jaylen Warren and the emerging Roman Wilson, whose target share has exceeded 15% in all four games this season. Even in a favorable matchup versus the Colts (12th-most fantasy points allowed to WRs), Pittman should be avoided; his sagging route rate (86%, 72%, 60%) makes him frankly a drop candidate in 10-team leagues.NegativeRoleSep 26, 2026
Pittman missed Week 2 but logged limited practices this week, putting him on the right side of questionable. However, he is nothing more than a low-floor flex option due to the struggling Steelers passing attack, with streaming options preferred over him.NegativeInjurySep 19, 2026
Pittman missed practice all week and is questionable for Week 2. His absence would likely lead to another game of high volume for DK Metcalf. If he suits up, he is coming off a disappointing Week 1 and should see a healthy dose of Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez. He is a recommended sit, with Coker, Pierce, and Stefon Diggs as better options.PositiveValueAug 31, 2026
Michael Pittman Jr. was drafted in Round 7 (Pick 7.1) in this 12-team PPR mock draft, confirming solid draft capital and fantasy value.PositiveValueAug 31, 2026
Michael Pittman Jr. was drafted 7th overall (Pick 7.1) in this 12-team PPR mock draft, reflecting elite wide receiver draft capital and top-tier consensus status.NegativeValueAug 31, 2026
Michael Pittman Jr. was selected in Round 6 (Pick 73) as WR34, indicating mid-round draft positioning for the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver.NegativeProjectionAug 31, 2026
Ranked WR34 in PPR mock draft.NegativeValueAug 26, 2026
Drafted as WR4 in the mock at pick 8.4 overall with a bye week of 9.PositiveProjectionAug 22, 2026
The source describes Pittman as a boring but reliable middle-round investment, similar to Sutton. Pittman finished four of his six seasons in Indianapolis as a top-20 fantasy receiver and has reached 800 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons. Though unlikely to deliver big touchdown numbers, Pittman is a good bet to lead the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers in both targets and catches.NegativeProjectionAug 20, 2026
Ranked 32nd in WR tiers; part of unclear situation with Pittsburgh Steelers offense not led by a quarterback expected to challenge for QB1 status, creating uncertainty around production.PositiveProjectionAug 18, 2026
During six seasons in Indianapolis, Pittman got 7.4 targets per game, produced four top-20 fantasy finishes and topped 750 receiving yards in five straight seasons. Now he lands in Mike McCarthy's offense, where his skill set fits the Z/slot role that James Jones once played in Green Bay. Pittman also caught 40 passes against split-safety coverage last season, tied for fourth among wide receivers. With DK Metcalf forcing safeties to respect the deep ball, Pittman should see more room underneath and between the safeties, areas where he already thrives. Add Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, and Pittman could easily outperform his ADP.NegativeProjectionAug 11, 2026
Ranked WR30 in early 2026 PPR rankings with a bye week of 9.NegativeProjectionAug 10, 2026
Michael Pittman Jr. is ranked WR3 in this superflex mock draft at pick 8.7, showing mid-round wide receiver valuation in two-QB league formats.PositiveValueJul 31, 2026
Pittman exemplifies the type of talented player who falls too far in drafts and proves to be a key component to a fantasy title run; the source cites him as a player who plummeted well beyond ADP last season and should be feasted upon when such obvious value presents itself.PositiveValueJul 31, 2026
Pittman is cited as an example of a talented player who fell too far in drafts last season and proved to be a key component to a fantasy title run; the source emphasizes that such value plays—players who plummet despite proven talent—should be feasted upon.PositiveValueJul 31, 2026
Available in Round 7 or later in many 12-team leagues despite potential to be in the WR3 mix as early as Week 1; represents value given depth at the position.PositiveValueJul 31, 2026
Pittman can be had in Round 7 or later in many 12-team leagues; the source identifies him as a veteran option available at a discount despite expected starting-caliber production.PositiveRoleJul 31, 2026
Pittman was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 offseason, representing a significant change in team context and potential impact on his fantasy value.PositiveUsageJul 29, 2026
During Weeks 1-13 last season before Daniel Jones' injury, Downs had five games of double-digit production with six receptions in four of them. Though Downs won't post big touchdown numbers (11 in his first three seasons), Zachariason notes he's in line to see a boost in target volume this season with Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh.PositiveDepth ChartJul 29, 2026
Zachariason notes that Downs had five games of double-digit production during Weeks 1-13 before QB Daniel Jones' injury, with six receptions in four of them. Though Downs won't post big touchdown numbers (11 in first three seasons), he's in line to see a boost in target volume with Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, implying Pittman's departure from Indianapolis reduces target competition for Downs.NegativeProjectionJul 28, 2026
Ranked WR31 in ESPN's 2026 fantasy football flex and superflex rankings.NegativeBreakoutJul 22, 2026
Listed as a candidate for 2026 breakout potential following the 2025 breakout class.NegativeRoleJul 22, 2026
Pittman Jr. is listed as an other candidate in the wide receiver breakout category, following the pattern of veteran receivers who made big leaps in new uniforms.PositiveProjectionJul 21, 2026
The Steelers are tied with the Miami Dolphins for the most vacated targets in the league, and Pittman should absorb a large share of them based on projections. Pittsburgh acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts and signed him to a three-year deal after he finished 2025 with 80 receptions, 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns, good for a WR18 finish in fantasy. Pittman has drawn at least 111 targets in five straight seasons. His short-to-intermediate skill set fits well with QB Aaron Rodgers who has consistently leaned on reliable possession receivers. Pittman is projected to lead the Steelers in targets and receptions.PositiveRoleNo date
The source suggests Pittman over fellow Steeler DK Metcalf is a reasonable take, implying Pittman's role and value with Pittsburgh are favorable relative to Metcalf.PositiveValueNo date
Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers; the source makes a reasonable take that Pittman over fellow Steeler DK Metcalf is a reasonable choice, suggesting Pittman offers value relative to Metcalf on the same team.PositiveValueNo date
Pittman, the new Steelers' wide receiver, has finished as a top-20 fantasy scorer four of the past five seasons but can be had in the ninth round of drafts. He isn't a big touchdown scorer, but he has produced 800-plus receiving yards for four years in a row and has a good shot to pace the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers in receptions.