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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Michael Pittman vs Puka Nacua

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Puka Nacua outscored Michael Pittman by 9.8 PPG in 2025 with 11 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Puka Nacua is the clear pick. Michael Pittman profiles as a matchup-dependent wide receiver who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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 11
WRLos Angeles Rams#1PPG LEADER
Puka Nacua
PPG
19.4
Games
16
Rec
129
Rec Yds
1,715
Rec TDs
10
Targets
166
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Michael Pittman
Puka Nacua

Head to Head

9.6 PPG19.4 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Pittman: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #33 at the position). Puka Nacua: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #1 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Michael Pittman is producing at 44% of elite pace and Puka Nacua at 88%. That ranking gap means Puka Nacua carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Pittman vs Puka Nacua: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two wide receivers. Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 19.4 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Michael Pittman (Indianapolis Colts, 9.6 PPG) by 9.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 9.8 points favors Puka Nacua, 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.

Target volume is the story here. Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025, while Michael Pittman drew 111. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Puka Nacua, even in weeks where Michael Pittman posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

One scheduling note: Michael Pittman is off Week 11 and Puka Nacua Week 8. 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

Puka Nacua is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Pittman is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Michael Pittman (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Puka Nacua (age 24) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Puka Nacua outscored Michael Pittman by a projected 167 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Michael Pittman played 17 games in 2025 compared to Puka Nacua's 16. That durability gap means Michael Pittman contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Puka Nacua scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • Puka Nacua saw 166 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.
  • Puka Nacua is 4 years younger than Michael Pittman (24 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatPittmanNacua
PPG (Half-PPR)9.619.4
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)163310
Receptions80129
Rec/Game4.78.1
Receiving Yards7841,715
Rec Yds/Game46.1107.2
Receiving TDs710
Targets111166
Target Share/Game6.510.4
Age2824
Experience5 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 8

Summary

19.4 PPG for Puka Nacua versus 9.6 for Michael Pittman in 2025. The baseline favors Puka Nacua, 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 Puka Nacua in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Puka Nacua has the edge at 19.4 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 Puka Nacua average in 2025?

Michael Pittman averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Puka Nacua averaged 19.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 9.8 points per game.

When are Michael Pittman and Puka Nacua's bye weeks in 2026?

Michael Pittman (IND) has a bye in Week 11, and Puka Nacua (LAR) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Pittman or Puka Nacua a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

Puka Nacua outscored Michael Pittman by 9.8 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.

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