The Indianapolis Colts are the surprise team of the NFL through five weeks. At 4-1, they’ve rolled behind a resurgent Daniel Jones, bell-cow extraordinaire Jonathan Taylor, and great play-calling from Shane Steichen. However, they still present some interesting fantasy football questions, primarily regarding their wide receivers. Can they sustain top-end fantasy football receiver production from Michael Pittman Jr. for the rest of the season? Or will regression find them?
Analysis
According to ESPN fantasy rankings, Pittman Jr. is the WR13 in PPR formats. With their uncertainty at QB over the offseason, anyone who drafted him is surely being rewarded for the risk they took. Pittman Jr. leads the team in targets (35), receptions (26), and receiving touchdowns (four) while trailing only Tyler Warren in receiving yards. But there are fair questions to ask about sustainability.
Jonathan Taylor leads the entire NFL in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He’s an unparalleled workhorse who is the first, second, and third option in this offense. That creates concern for Pittman Jr. and Indy’s former breakout receiver Josh Downs.
Pittman Jr.’s four receiving touchdowns have boosted his fantasy value in a big way, and it’s fair to wonder if he can keep up a 14-score pace. He’ll have to take a lot of red-zone looks away from Taylor while fending off Warren, Downs, and others. He’d also need this offense to keep up its 32.6 PPG pace all season. It’s a tricky proposition.
The verdict
Trusting Michael Pittman Jr. to sustain WR1-level production is folly. He’s averaging only 55 yards per game and is being held up by catching four of the team’s six receiving scores. That’s not going to hold up.
Pittman Jr. can continue as a WR2 as he still has a stable floor and touchdown upside. Downs remains more of a PPR flex option without a lot of upside. If you’re counting on Pittman Jr. to be your top receiver for the remainder of the season, good luck.
