Michael Pittman Jr: Fantasy Football Sleeper In 2021?

Michael Pittman Jr. could be a breakout receiver for fantasy football in 2021. Last season the Colts didn’t have many fantasy pass-catching options. Philip Rivers really showed off his age by throwing just 24 touchdowns in 16 games. 31-year-old TY Hilton led the team with just 762 receiving yards. The next man up was Zach Pascal with a mere 629 yards. Michael Pittman Jr. would’ve likely led the team in receiving yards if it weren’t for a leg injury causing him to miss significant time. The big-bodied receiver out of USC is primed for a breakout given another year in this offense and the addition of Carson Wentz.

Throughout Wentz’s time in Philadelphia, he always had a lackluster receiving room. Outside of Zach Ertz (who has fallen off), the Eagles gave Wentz a retirement home of receivers in Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson. Not to mention Nelson “No hands” Agholor, who was best known for dropping passes. Carson Wentz has the ability to produce a top fantasy receiver, but he just didn’t have any weapons in Philly. The Colts’ formidable offensive line and run game will get Wentz back to MVP form in Indy. But who will be the main beneficiary? Michael Pittman Jr. is more than ready.

Similar to how Wentz fed Zach Ertz, Pittman Jr. will see the most targets next season. The Colts made no additions to the receiver room, showing their confidence in Pittman Jr. being able to handle the workload. In the final 10 games of 2020, Pittman Jr. averaged 6 targets per game, including 10 in their playoff game. Unfortunately, the production wasn’t there as Philip Rivers’s accuracy wavered. For fantasy purposes, that is good as it hinders his ADP. Right now, Micahael Pittman Jr. is being taken in the 9th round. The upside he has makes that value more than worth it. I’d draft him ahead of Dj Chark, Robby Anderson, and Jerry Jeudy, all of whom are being taken ahead of Pittman Jr.

Wentz can sling it downfield to the 6-foot-4 alpha of this offense. Expect large volume with some splash plays downfield next season. Pittman Jr. possesses a frame similar to Alshon Jeffery, who received a bulk of Wentz’s touchdowns in his first few seasons. Barring injuries, I believe Michael Pittman Jr. is a lock to hit 1,000 yards receiving. If he can get more involved in the red zone like I expect him to, he can easily finish as a WR2 in fantasy football this season.