Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Rome Odunze

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).

Monday, July 14, 7:16 PM

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain writes that Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze should be much better in 2025 with a better offensive scheme and improved quarterback play out of Caleb Williams. Fantasy managers were disappointed with Odunze last season after he was taken ninth overall by the Bears out of Washington. However, Fishbain points out that the 23-year-old pass-catcher was fifth among all rookies in receiving yards (734) while catching 53.5% of his targets. He was most definitely inconsistent and scored only three times in 17 games (12 starts), but there remains plenty of upside, and he should be better in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense with Keenan Allen gone. Odunze's after-the-catch abilities and physical prowess make him a nice WR3/flex with upside to target in fantasy drafts.