The Colts are 5-1 despite entering the season with quarterback controversy between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. It seemed surprising that the Colts chose Jones to start Week 1, but it’s paid off and has fans wondering “what did the coaches know that we didn’t.”
Amid a terrific start, there have been a handful of contributors on offense. Jonathan Taylor is leading the NFL in carries (115), rushing yards (603), rushing touchdowns (7) and total receiving/rushing touchdowns (8). The other players fill their roles, but it means there isn’t a clear WR1 on the roster.
Michael Pittman was believed to be that, but he’s got competition with Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. It gets even more competitive when including rookie tight end Tyler Warren. Is Pittman still the most valuable wide receiver in Indianapolis?
The numbers certainly say so. Pittman leads the Colts’ wideouts in receiving yards (293), receptions (28), targets (38) and receiving touchdowns (4). Downs is not far behind, catching 26-of-34 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown. Pierce, on the other hand, is more of a deep-ball threat, averaging 19.9 yards per catch, while totaling 11 catches for 219 yards.
A big concern with Pittman entering this year has been his touchdown total. His career high is six in 2021, and he’s already reached four in six games this year. The yards have always been consistent, reaching at least 800 in four straight seasons. What he needed to do was take the next step in the redzone, and he has this year.
The one caveat to Pittman’s success this year is that he’s not the top option in the passing game. Warren has a slight edge, catching 29-of-40 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. This could be helping Pittman in the redzone, which has paved a pathway to fantasy football WR1 status.