{"id":67021,"date":"2025-05-21T07:44:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T07:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/67021\/"},"modified":"2025-05-21T07:44:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T07:44:18","slug":"is-josh-downs-or-michael-pittman-jr-the-wr1-for-the-indianapolis-colts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/67021\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Josh Downs or Michael Pittman Jr. the WR1 for the Indianapolis Colts?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Josh<\/a><\/p>\n

Should you draft Josh Downs or Michael Pittman Jr. in 2025 fantasy football drafts? Mike Fanelli tells you which Colts wide reciever to draft this season.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Indianapolis Colts had one of the more inconsistent passing attacks in the NFL. Anthony Richardson<\/a> struggled with accuracy, while Joe Flacco<\/a> wasn\u2019t a better option.<\/p>\n

Therefore, fantasy players understand why the Colts didn\u2019t have a reliable starting pass catcher on the roster. While the team replaced Flacco with Daniel Jones<\/a> this offseason, fantasy players still have low expectations for Indianapolis\u2019 passing attack in 2025.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the Colts used their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on Tyler Warren<\/a>. Therefore, which Indianapolis wide receiver should fantasy players draft in 2025? Let\u2019s dive into the fantasy football outlook for Josh Downs<\/a> and Michael Pittman Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings<\/a> for 2025:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Downs was the WR36 in 2024, averaging 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The third-year pro did see an uptick in targets per game from his rookie season (7.6 vs. 5.8). Furthermore, Downs is the team\u2019s best option in the slot, making him arguably the Colts\u2019 most unique weapon in the passing game.<\/p>\n

WHAT A CATCH BY JOSH DOWNS.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: #INDvsHOU<\/a> on CBS\/Paramount+
\ud83d\udcf1: https:\/\/t.co\/waVpO909ge<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1WMCZDj8G3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pittman was the WR43 last season, averaging 8.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Last year\u2019s average was his lowest mark since averaging 6.1 fantasy points per game as a rookie. Unfortunately, Pittman needs a high target volume to have consistent fantasy success. The veteran had 111 targets last season after totaling 141 or more in each of the previous two.<\/p>\n

Flacco to MPJ! @Colts<\/a> fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: #INDvsNYG<\/a> on FOX
\ud83d\udcf1: https:\/\/t.co\/waVpO8ZBqG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hTHnVoLBOb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Who is the WR1 for the Indianapolis Colts?<\/p>\n

Fantasy players should avoid drafting anyone in the Colts\u2019 passing attack. Richardson and Jones were two of the NFL\u2019s least accurate quarterbacks in 2024. Now they compete for a starting job on an offense loaded with talent.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis has used a Day 2 pick on a wide receiver in four of the past six NFL Drafts, selecting Pittman in 2020, Alec Pierce<\/a> in 2022, Downs in 2023, and Adonai Mitchell<\/a> last year. More importantly, the team finally has a star at tight end after drafting Warren.<\/p>\n

If fantasy players want to draft a Colts wide receiver, Downs is the best option. He led the team in targets (7.6) and fantasy points (10.5) per game. Furthermore, the former North Carolina star is Indianapolis\u2019 only true slot receiver on the roster.<\/p>\n

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