Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Pittman vs Troy FranklinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Troy Franklin's 8.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Pittman is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Michael Pittman and Troy Franklin are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

Rec

Rec Yds

784

Rec TDs

Targets

111

Bye

Week 13

WRDenver Broncos#44

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Michael Pittman

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

9.6 PPG8.5 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Troy Franklin: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Pittman is producing at 44% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That ranking gap means Michael Pittman carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Pittman vs Troy Franklin: 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 Troy Franklin clocked in at 8.5 across 17 appearances for the Denver Broncos. A 1.1-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 Troy Franklin converted 104 looks into 709 yards and 6 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 Troy Franklin Week 10. 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. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Michael Pittman outscored Troy Franklin by a projected 19 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.
•Michael Pittman saw 111 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
•Troy Franklin is 5 years younger than Michael Pittman (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Pittman vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Pittman	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	8.5
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	163	145
Receptions	80	65
Rec/Game	4.7	3.8
Receiving Yards	784	709
Rec Yds/Game	46.1	41.7
Receiving TDs	7	6
Targets	111	104
Target Share/Game	6.5	6.1
Age	28	23
Experience	5 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 10

Summary

9.6 PPG for Michael Pittman versus 8.5 for Troy Franklin in 2025. The baseline favors Michael Pittman, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Pittman or Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Pittman has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Troy Franklin's 8.5 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 Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Michael Pittman and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Pittman or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Michael Pittman outscored Troy Franklin by 1.1 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.