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Michael Pittman vs Tetairoa McMillanWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.5 PPG to Michael Pittman's 9.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tetairoa McMillan is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tetairoa McMillan edges Michael Pittman by 0.9 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Tetairoa McMillan goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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WRIndianapolis Colts#33
Michael Pittman
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
80
Rec Yds
784
Rec TDs
7
Targets
111
Bye
Week 13
WRCarolina Panthers#26PPG LEADER
Tetairoa McMillan
PPG
10.5
Games
17
Rec
70
Rec Yds
1,014
Rec TDs
7
Targets
122
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Pittman
Tetairoa McMillan

Head to Head

9.6 PPG10.5 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Tetairoa McMillan: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Pittman is producing at 44% of elite pace and Tetairoa McMillan at 48%. That ranking gap means Tetairoa McMillan carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Pittman vs Tetairoa McMillan: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Michael Pittman finished the 2025 season at 9.6 PPG over 17 games with the Indianapolis Colts, while Tetairoa McMillan clocked in at 10.5 across 17 appearances for the Carolina Panthers. A 0.9-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both are workload receivers with similar target shares. Michael Pittman turned 111 targets into 784 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Tetairoa McMillan converted 122 looks into 1014 yards and 7 scores. When target volume is this close, game script and defensive matchup typically decide the weekly winner.

One scheduling note: Michael Pittman is off Week 13 and Tetairoa McMillan Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in wide receiver for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Tetairoa McMillan (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Tetairoa McMillan outscored Michael Pittman by a projected 15 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Pittman scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Tetairoa McMillan saw 122 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Tetairoa McMillan is 5 years younger than Michael Pittman (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Pittman vs Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMichael PittmanTetairoa McMillan
PPG (Half-PPR)9.610.5
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163179
Receptions8070
Rec/Game4.74.1
Receiving Yards7841,014
Rec Yds/Game46.159.6
Receiving TDs77
Targets111122
Target Share/Game6.57.2
Age2823
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Tetairoa McMillan holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.5 points per game. Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 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 Tetairoa McMillan in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Tetairoa McMillan has the edge at 10.5 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 Tetairoa McMillan average in 2025?

Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tetairoa McMillan averaged 10.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.9 points per game.

When are Michael Pittman and Tetairoa McMillan's bye weeks in 2026?

Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Pittman or Tetairoa McMillan a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Tetairoa McMillan outscored Michael Pittman by 0.9 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.