Best Ball Guy advised steering clear of Michael Pittman after news of a fresh groin strain. He added that rumors Pittman quietly needed back surgery last season raise durability concerns, and the Colts have not settled on a quarterback, bouncing between "Dimes" and Anthony Richardson in camp. The tout believes the combination of lingering soft-tissue issues and volatile quarterback play caps Pittman’s weekly ceiling, making him a landmine at his current ADP.

Tom Strachan said he will pounce on Michael Pittman if reports continue to suggest Daniel Jones, not Anthony Richardson, will start. In games without Richardson over the past two seasons, Pittman averaged five more PPR points, nearly two additional targets, and 20 extra receiving yards. Strachan expects Shane Steichen to lean on an RPO-heavy quick-game with Jones, funneling high-percentage looks to Pittman, who has already proven he can command 140-plus targets in a season. At a mid-WR4 ADP, Strachan views Pittman as an easy buy with top-20 upside if the quarterback shift happens.

Kerrane, who famously faded Michael Pittman in last year’s third round, now views him as a value in the mid-8th. Pittman owns a locked-in intermediate possession role (near-100% route rate since his rookie year) and needs only competent quarterback play. Drafters get two shots at that competence—either Anthony Richardson takes a second-year leap or Daniel Jones wins the job and functions as a rhythm passer. Combine that with Pittman’s massive snap share and historical 26% target rate, and Kerrane believes an 90-catch, 1,100-yard season is squarely in play, making him an ideal floor/ceiling bridge when you hammer RB early.

Williamson acknowledges Indianapolis may have the league’s ugliest QB room—either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones—but still likes Michael Pittman at WR52. Pittman finished 2024 as the WR42 in essentially the same low-volume, low-efficiency ecosystem and has led the Colts in targets four straight seasons. If Richardson takes even a modest step forward as a passer, Pittman can rebound into the WR2 range, making his current late-round cost an easy click in best ball.

Jason Moore grabbed Michael Pittman in the 10th and said the fantasy community is sleeping on him. Moore argued Pittman is still the Colts’ most reliable target—even if Josh Downs flashes—and pointed to camp reports that Pittman is ‘making sure he gets his targets.’ Moore reminded listeners that Pittman has already produced back-to-back 140-plus target seasons and that Anthony Richardson’s willingness to pepper his first read will keep the volume flowing. In full-PPR formats Moore believes double-digit rounds are robbery for a receiver who owns WR2 target share with weekly WR1 upside.

Sam Wallace advised drafting Michael Pittman as only a low-end WR3 (he slotted him at WR32) because the Colts’ passing outlook is murky. The team still hasn’t decided whether Anthony Richardson or newly acquired Daniel Jones will start, and neither quarterback has shown consistent downfield accuracy. Both signal-callers are quick to tuck and run, further limiting available targets. While Pittman has topped 800 receiving yards in four straight seasons—twice clearing 1,000—Wallace doubts the offense can produce top-20 receiver volume this year. He urged drafters to fade Pittman at his current price unless training-camp reps reveal a dramatically improved passing attack.

Jakob Sanderson said Michael Pittman Jr. is one of the best values on the entire Best Ball Mania board. Pittman has routinely posted between 0.23 and 0.28 targets per route in far worse passing environments, and Sanderson believes a Daniel Jones–led offense will be “a lot more normal, maybe not good, but fine.” Jones’ higher completion rate and lower average depth of target should extend drives and create a steadier diet of high-percentage looks for Pittman. Sanderson thinks Pittman’s current eighth- to ninth-round ADP is two to three rounds too cheap for a proven target earner who could flirt with 140–150 targets in a league-average attack. He is loading up on Pittman shares and expects the market to correct once drafters realize Jones, not Anthony Richardson, is the likeliest full-season starter.