Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Friday, January 16, 5:21 PM

The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. sits atop the list of potential big names that the Colts could part with this offseason due to salary considerations, mutual decision, or poor performance. Pittman pretty much admitted after the season finale in Week 18 that he could have played his last game with the team. He has a $29 million salary cap hit in 2026, but the Colts would clear $24 million in cap space with only $5 million in dead money if they release him. Boyd thinks Pittman will either have to restructure his contract with Indy or play elsewhere next season. The sense is that Pittman doesn't want to leave, but Alec Pierce took over as the Colts' top wideout in 2025, with Pittman catching 80 passes for 784 yards (second-fewest of his career), although he did have a career-high seven touchdowns.

Friday, January 9, 4:00 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was arguably the best pass-catcher in football in 2025, recording 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 targets. While Smith-Njigba's overall numbers are dominant, his production dropped off slightly down the stretch of the season. After topping 100 receiving yards in eight out of his first 11 games of the year, he hit the century mark just once over his final six contests. Smith-Njigba was also held out of the end zone in three of his last four games. Still, Smith-Njigba earned at least eight targets and recorded six receptions in five straight outings to close the year, and he logged at least 14.4 PPR fantasy points in all but two regular-season appearances. With the Seahawks earning a bye through the first round of the NFC playoffs, Smith-Njigba's first postseason opponent is not yet known. However, regardless of opponent, Smith-Njigba profiles as a high-end wide receiver option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.