Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Trey McBride

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, 9:24 AM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is arguably the number one overall tight end play in fantasy football in Week 16 when the Cardinals travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. McBride is having one of the best seasons we've seen from a tight end in recent memory and, statistically, the best in Arizona in a long time. One statistical category that is lacking is touchdown production. McBride just broke the record for most receptions in a season (89) without a touchdown. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been vocal about getting McBride into the end zone, and they will have a good opportunity to do so, as the Panthers are allowing the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. It's hard to find a better option at the tight end position than McBride, and he should be started in all league formats.