Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Makai Lemon
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4.3 | 46.9 | 0.3 |
Michael Pittman Jr. News
Thursday, July 16, 7:39 AM
Pittsburgh Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy said he views wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as a "versatile pass-catcher who can run all routes," which is a preference for receivers in McCarthy's offense, according to Chris Harlan of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Live. In his final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, Pittman played 283 of his 615 snaps in the slot. In his six seasons with the Colts, the 28-year-old former second-rounder out of USC caught 485 passes for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns, but he regressed in 2025, finishing with an 80-784-7 line in 17 games. His 784 receiving yards were his fewest since his rookie year in 2020. Pittsburgh made an aggressive move to acquire Pittman from the Colts in a March trade, then signed him to a three-year, $59 million contract to give DK Metcalf some help. Last year, Metcalf led the Steelers with 59 catches on 99 targets, but the team lacked a reliable option to complement him. McCarthy is hoping Pittman is that man. A bounce-back campaign could be coming for Pittman, but with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers in the last season of his storied career, fantasy managers shouldn't just assume that Pittman will bounce back as a reliable weekly fantasy starter. RotoBaller currently has the former Colts wideout ranked as the No. 41 fantasy WR for 2026.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 44.2 | 0.2 |
Makai Lemon News
Friday, July 17, 10:41 AM
Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) said that he's "feeling great" and is "100%" ready to go for the start of training camp after dealing with a hamstring injury during the offseason program, according to Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Lemon could be eased into camp at the end of July, but once he's a full-go, he has an opportunity to become Philly's WR2 behind DeVonta Smith in his first year in the NFL after the Eagles traded Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots this offseason. The 20th overall pick out of USC comes to the NFL after having recorded 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions in 12 games in 2025 in his third and final year at USC for the Trojans. Lemon has the clear runway to become a weekly flex option for fantasy managers in his first year in the league, but there should be some hesitation from managers with the Eagles coming off a frustrating 2025 campaign on offense in which they really struggled to move the ball through the air. In redraft leagues, RotoBaller has Lemon ranked as the No. 45 pass-catcher. He'll be more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues for his athleticism and big-play abilities out of the slot.
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Makai Lemon
Still trying to decide between Pittman Jr. and Lemon? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Michael Pittman Jr. is projected to score 10.7 points this week while Makai Lemon is projected to score 9.2 points.
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