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Head to Head

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Michael Pittman vs Ricky PearsallWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Pittman has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.8-PPG advantage is real (9.6 to 7.8), and Michael Pittman's 7 touchdowns show scoring upside. Ricky Pearsall is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRIndianapolis Colts#33PPG LEADER
Michael Pittman
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
80
Rec Yds
784
Rec TDs
7
Targets
111
Bye
Week 13
WRSan Francisco 49ers#52
Ricky Pearsall
PPG
7.8
Games
9
Rec
36
Rec Yds
528
Targets
53
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Pittman
Ricky Pearsall

Head to Head

9.6 PPG7.8 PPG
17 GP9 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Pittman is producing at 44% of elite pace and Ricky Pearsall at 35%. That ranking gap means Michael Pittman carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Pittman vs Ricky Pearsall: The Full Breakdown

Two wide receivers who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Michael Pittman (Indianapolis Colts) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco 49ers) came in at 7.8 PPG over 9 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Michael Pittman carries a 1.8-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Target volume is the story here. Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Michael Pittman, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Michael Pittman has his bye in Week 13, and Ricky Pearsall rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Michael Pittman outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Pittman vs Ricky Pearsall: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMichael PittmanRicky Pearsall
PPG (Half-PPR)9.67.8
Games Played179
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)16370
Receptions8036
Rec/Game4.74.0
Receiving Yards784528
Rec Yds/Game46.158.7
Receiving TDs70
Targets11153
Target Share/Game6.55.9
Age2825
Experience5 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Pittman holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.6 points per game. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Pittman or Ricky Pearsall in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Pittman has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Michael Pittman and Ricky Pearsall average in 2025?

Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Michael Pittman and Ricky Pearsall's bye weeks in 2026?

Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Pittman or Ricky Pearsall a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Michael Pittman outscored Ricky Pearsall by 1.8 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.