Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or DeVonta Smith

Friday, January 10, 12:10 PM

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not require surgery for the fractured back that he played through late in the 2024 season. "One tough dude. Example of what you want," Ballard said. It's a testament to Pittman's toughness that he missed just one game due to his back injury. But the 27-year-old's back issues and inconsistent play from the quarterback position in Indianapolis in 2024 led to Pittman posting only 808 receiving yards -- his fewest since his rookie season in 2020 -- to go with 69 receptions (also his lowest mark since 2020) and only three touchdowns in 16 games. Better health will give him a chance to rebound in 2025, but his overall upside might be dependent on quarterback Anthony Richardson's health and his ability to improve as a passer.

Monday, February 10, 12:31 AM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught four of his five targets for 69 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old epitomized consistency over the last month, catching exactly four passes in each of his four playoff games. At times, Smith has looked more productive than A.J. Brown, and he got the edge over his teammate on Sunday by pacing all Eagles receivers in catches and yards. Although Smith himself had some inconsistent moments throughout the regular season, there is no denying that he is a talented player in an incredibly potent offense. Even as he loses some opportunities to Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Jalen Hurts, there is clearly a path for Smith to finish as a mid-range WR2 in 2025 fantasy football.