DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Michael Pittman vs Tee HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Michael Pittman's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy play this season.

Tee Higgins is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 846 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Pittman at 9.6 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tee Higgins higher, but do not fade Michael Pittman entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Michael Pittman and Tee Higgins in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
WRIndianapolis Colts#33
Michael Pittman
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
80
Rec Yds
784
Rec TDs
7
Targets
111
Bye
Week 13
WRCincinnati Bengals#13PPG LEADER
Tee Higgins
PPG
12.1
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
846
Rec TDs
11
Targets
98
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Pittman
Tee Higgins

Head to Head

9.6 PPG12.1 PPG
17 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Tee Higgins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Pittman is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tee Higgins at 55%. That ranking gap means Tee Higgins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Pittman vs Tee Higgins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Michael Pittman and Tee Higgins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Indianapolis Colts wide receiver put up 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals averaged 12.1 in 15. A 2.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.5 points favors Tee Higgins, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Michael Pittman turned 111 targets into 784 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Tee Higgins converted 98 looks into 846 yards and 11 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

Michael Pittman has his bye in Week 13, and Tee Higgins rests in Week 6. 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. Tee Higgins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Tee Higgins outscored Michael Pittman by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tee Higgins's 15. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Tee Higgins scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • 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 Tee Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMichael PittmanTee Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)9.612.1
Games Played1715
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163182
Receptions8059
Rec/Game4.73.9
Receiving Yards784846
Rec Yds/Game46.156.4
Receiving TDs711
Targets11198
Target Share/Game6.56.5
Age2827
Experience5 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 6

Summary

12.1 PPG for Tee Higgins versus 9.6 for Michael Pittman in 2025. The baseline favors Tee Higgins, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Michael Pittman vs Tee Higgins

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Michael Pittman vs Tee Higgins

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Pittman or Tee Higgins in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Michael Pittman's 9.6 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 Tee Higgins average in 2025?

Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Michael Pittman and Tee Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?

Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Tee Higgins (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Pittman or Tee Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Tee Higgins outscored Michael Pittman by 2.5 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.