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When a QB often overcommits to an alpha receiver -- at the expense of everyone else -- things are fine for fantasy managers who roster that one receiver. But what happens when that QB gets a second alpha receiver?
That’s the dilemma facing managers after the Steelers added Michael Pittman Jr. to one of the league’s shallowest WR corps. The former Colt somehow produced good-to-great numbers despite frequently catching passes thrown by late-career Philip Rivers, post-prime Carson Wentz, end-of-career Matt Ryan, end-of-career Nick Foles, Sam Ehlinger, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Riley Leonard, and... post-retirement Philip Rivers.
Of course, Daniel Jones was the exception. But it was short-lived. A case could be made that end-of-career Aaron Rodgers is better than nearly every QB Pittman has played with. Despite what should be a most conservative offense, Pittman has a chance to supplant D.K. Metcalf some weeks as the alpha.
Across the 2026 season, it’s reasonable to believe that neither guy has a fantasy edge over the other. For that reason, I’d invest in whoever’s ADP is worse, as long as that ADP is outside the top 32. Because, unfortunately, consistency will be an issue. If Metcalf’s or Pittman’s ADPs are inside the top 32, it would be a warning sign to fade them. About 58% of Rodgers’ 2025 targets were directed at his RBs and TEs.
That probably won’t change much in 2026. Pittman’s arrival gives Rodgers a safer (albeit low-end) floor. But there are no obvious fantasy “winners.”
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: 2026 fantasy impact on Steelers after Michael Pittman Jr. trade
Continue reading...
That’s the dilemma facing managers after the Steelers added Michael Pittman Jr. to one of the league’s shallowest WR corps. The former Colt somehow produced good-to-great numbers despite frequently catching passes thrown by late-career Philip Rivers, post-prime Carson Wentz, end-of-career Matt Ryan, end-of-career Nick Foles, Sam Ehlinger, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Riley Leonard, and... post-retirement Philip Rivers.
Of course, Daniel Jones was the exception. But it was short-lived. A case could be made that end-of-career Aaron Rodgers is better than nearly every QB Pittman has played with. Despite what should be a most conservative offense, Pittman has a chance to supplant D.K. Metcalf some weeks as the alpha.
Across the 2026 season, it’s reasonable to believe that neither guy has a fantasy edge over the other. For that reason, I’d invest in whoever’s ADP is worse, as long as that ADP is outside the top 32. Because, unfortunately, consistency will be an issue. If Metcalf’s or Pittman’s ADPs are inside the top 32, it would be a warning sign to fade them. About 58% of Rodgers’ 2025 targets were directed at his RBs and TEs.
That probably won’t change much in 2026. Pittman’s arrival gives Rodgers a safer (albeit low-end) floor. But there are no obvious fantasy “winners.”
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: 2026 fantasy impact on Steelers after Michael Pittman Jr. trade
Continue reading...
