Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Jayden Reed

Friday, December 20, 10:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was a full participant in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old did not practice on Wednesday, but was back to a full participant the following two sessions to close out the week. The 6-foot-4 wideout has dealt with back issues seemingly all season long, but it has cost him just one week of playing time. The former second-round draft pick has been Anthony Richardson's preferred target in the passing game over the last four weeks since being reinstated as the starting QB, averaging over five catches per contest, albeit for just 60 yards per game. The fifth-year pro hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 6, which happened to be against his Week 16 opponent, the Tennessee Titans. Although he found paydirt in that first meeting, he did so on just three catches for 35 yards. With the Titans allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and with Richardson completing less than 50% of his passes on the season, expectations for Sunday's divisional showdown should be tempered. While the Colts are 3.5-point favorites in this one, there is a low expected total of 42.5 and Pittman Jr. projects as a WR4 this week, so hopefully fantasy managers have other options.

Saturday, December 21, 4:41 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had a hot start to his 2024 NFL season but has been stuck in a slump and Reed looks like climb out of it in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. Reed has 34 receiving yards or fewer and is averaging less than four targets per game in his last five games. While Reed has three touchdowns in those games, those touchdowns are what is fueling his fantasy value lately, not his target-earning ability. Add in Romeo Doubs returning to the Packers' lineup from concussion protocol last week, and that addition continues to smooth out targets for every other pass-catching option for Green Bay. The Saints have been a middle-of-the-pack team in defending slot receivers this season, so the matchup good. Despite that, Reed is a low-end flex option for fantasy managers given the Packers' focus on the run and dwindling passing-game opportunities.