Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Quentin Johnston


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

Michael Pittman Jr. Could Run Full Route Tree in Pittsburgh

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
9.7 0.6 0.0 3.1 45.4 0.3

Quentin Johnston News

Quentin Johnston Looking to Prove he Can be Consistent Outside Threat

Tuesday, July 28, 8:02 AM

ESPN's Kris Rhim writes that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston enters training camp this summer "looking to prove that he can be a consistent outside threat." The Chargers showed that they believe in the former first-rounder's long-term potential by picking up his fifth-year, $18 million option. The 24-year-old former TCU wideout struggled with drops and creating separation as a rookie, but he has led the team in touchdowns (16 combined) in each of the past two seasons. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel likes Johnston's potential, too, comparing him to former Houston Texan Andre Johnson and former Atlanta Falcon Julio Jones because of his size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and yards-after-the-catch ability. McDaniel could unlock even more from Johnston and make him a weekly threat in L.A.'s offense, making him a very intriguing WR4/flex target with upside in upcoming 2026 fantasy drafts. RotoBaller currently has Johnston ranked as the No. 47 fantasy WR as he heads into his fourth season.


Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Quentin Johnston

Still trying to decide between Pittman Jr. and Johnston? 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 Quentin Johnston is projected to score 9.7 points.