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

Thursday, June 5, 11:30 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) had an initial injury scare in voluntary OTA practice on Thursday when he bumped knees with a defender, but he's expected to be OK, a source told FOX 59's Mike Chappell. Pittman is sore and expected to be fine, but he'll likely be held out of mandatory minicamp next week as a precaution. The initial thought was that the 27-year-old former second-round pick (34th overall) in 2020 out of USC was dealing with another back injury, which was something he battled through for the majority of the 2024 campaign. He should be ready to go for training camp this summer as he looks to bounce back from a 69-808-3 line in 16 games (14 starts) in 2024. Pittman still has WR2 upside, but as a possession receiver, his best-case scenario for fantasy upside in 2025 is if Daniel Jones wins the QB battle over Anthony Richardson (shoulder).

Sunday, January 5, 8:21 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught four passes for nine yards in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. Smith-Njigba was invisible in a game in which quarterback Geno Smith threw four touchdown passes. What's worse, JSN had a chance to break wide receiver Tyler Lockett's single-season team receptions record. He fell one reception short of breaking the record. Overall, Smith-Njigba had a great season. He will finish with 1,130 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 100 receptions. Fantasy managers should be ecstatic about Smith-Njigba heading into next season. He is clearly Smith's No. 1 target, and he has displayed that he has the talent to be a high-end producer for fantasy. While his Week 18 was disappointing, the future is bright for JSN.