Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Tyler Shough

Thursday, July 31, 9:11 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (groin) returned to practice on Thursday, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Pittman Jr. tweaked his groin during the team's training camp practice on Tuesday. The 27-year-old played 16 games through a fracture in his lower back in 2024, so he's surely hoping to get to the 2025 season as healthy as possible. Pittman Jr. finished last season with 69 catches for 808 yards and three touchdowns, each of which was his lowest total since his rookie season in 2020. He and third-year slot receiver Josh Downs are the top two target earners in the Colts' offense. Pittman Jr.'s fantasy viability depends heavily on the level of quarterback play Indianapolis can squeeze out of the combination of Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

Saturday, July 19, 1:30 PM

The New Orleans Saints and quarterback Tyler Shough reached an agreement on Saturday on a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie deal worth $10,795,000, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Shough, who was taken 40th overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, is the last player that was taken this year to secure a fully-guaranteed deal. Although Shough will have competition from Spencer Rattler for the starting QB job in his rookie season, he figures to be the favorite to start under center in Week 1 this fall after Derek Carr's abrupt retirement this offseason. The 25-year-old spent seven years in college, so he has plenty of experience, and he threw for 3,195 yards and 23 yards in 2024 at Louisville. He has good size and arm strength, but his downfield accuracy is a concern. There won't be much fantasy upside here early on if he wins the starting gig. Think low-end QB2 as a game manager more than anything.