Fantasy Football Player Notes

Pittman has been the model of consistency as a WR2 over the last three seasons (WR14, WR21, WR22). Despite catching passes from Gardner Minshew for most of the year, Pittman finished with his usual efficiency ranking 23rd in YPRR and 24th in FD/RR while gobbling up the volume (ninth in targets, fourth in target share). Despite ranking ninth in red zone targets, he only had four receiving touchdowns last year. Pittman faces a Houston secondary that should again feature heavy two-high coverage in 2024. Last year, the Texans ranked fourth in two-high usage (56.6%). Against two-high last year, Pittman had a 26.2% target share, a 32.1% air-yard share, 2.23 YPRR, and 0.114 FD/RR. Pittman will run about 72% of his routes against Derek Stingley Jr. (54.2% catch rate and 76.6 passer rating) and rookie Kamari Lassiter.

With Downs out, Mitchell will be starting in three wide receiver sets and running from the slot. In the preseason, while logging a 26% TPRR and 1.26 YPRR, Mitchell lined up in the slot on 69.6% of his routes. I wasn’t high on Mitchell as a prospect after he ranked outside the top 96 FBS wide receivers in YPRR, PFF receiving grade, and yards after the catch per reception (minimum 50 targets) in his final collegiate season. Mitchell will face Jimmie Ward (81.2% catch rate and 69.3 passer rating) for most of the game.