Michael Pittman Jr. or Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Pittman’s extra field time meets Freiermuth’s stronger target role

Pittman has the bigger snap footprint, but one game of 88% snaps has produced just an 8% target share, so that edge is less convincing than it looks. Freiermuth is the steadier bet for designed involvement as Pittsburgh’s pass-catching TE1, while Pittman’s contested-catch and red-zone ability keeps the PPR choice level if he plays. The real risk is Pittman’s foot: coach Mike McCarthy was unsure he could suit up (Yahoo Sports (Steelers Wire) 2026-09-21).

What flips it: Pittman is cleared to play without his foot limiting him.

Sources: Yahoo Sports (Steelers Wire) · Sep 21, 2026

AI editor

In standard and half-PPR scoring this flips to Freiermuth.

Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr.

WR32PITvs CIN

Projected Points

Toss-Up
Pat Freiermuth

Pat Freiermuth

TE24PITvs CIN

Projected Points

Start

Michael Pittman Jr.’s market

REC
O/U 2.5
-157 / +123
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 26.5
-115 / -109
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+425
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Pat Freiermuth’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-152 / +119
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 35.5
-113 / -113
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+340
Anytime Touchdown Props →
CIN@
PITSun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
CIN@
PITSun, Sep 27, 1:00 PM ETView the game →

Why Michael Pittman Jr.

Toss-Up

WR2 and high-volume possession target. Big-bodied contested-catch winner over the middle and in the red zone.

Toss-up — WR32 consensus, projects WR33 this week: CIN is the 11th-toughest matchup vs WRs, 11% target share.

  • His size and contested-catch skill give him a route to valuable red-zone receptions if active.
  • Cincinnati is a tougher matchup for wideouts, but Pittman’s possession role can still create catches.

Latest on Pittman

Status

Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Pittman's current foot injury is a new injury, not a recurrence of his training camp issue, and said he is unsure if Pittman will be able to play in Week 3 against the Bengals despite Pittman making 'positive steps forward.'

Yahoo Sports (Steelers Wire) · Sep 21, 2026
Steelers rule out WR Pittman Jr. vs. Patriots with foot injury

The Steelers will be without another starter for their Week 2 game against the Patriots after downgrading wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to out with a foot injury.

ESPN · Sep 19, 2026
Joey Porter Jr. out again for Steelers; WR Pittman questionable

The Steelers will be without top cornerback Joey Porter Jr. again amid their contentious contract negotiation. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (ankle) are questionable to play.

ESPN · Sep 18, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Pat Freiermuth

Start

TE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.

Start — TE24 consensus, projects TE22 this week: 13% target share, 8.3 PPR projected vs CIN.

  • Freiermuth’s chain-moving role gives him a clearer path to targets than Pittman’s current usage suggests.
  • His red-zone size offers touchdown upside even with less time on the field.

Latest on Freiermuth

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricMichael Pittman Jr.Pat Freiermuth
Projected points
Consensus rankWR32TE24
Opponent vs positionCIN · 11 of 322-game sampleCIN · 19 of 322-game sample
Receptions13 of 3232 of 32
Receiving Yards13 of 3232 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 321 of 32
Targets25 of 3230 of 32
Anytime TD1 of 321 of 32
Target share11%13%
Reception share11%17%
Implied total · spread22.5+1.522.5+1.5
Depth chartWR2TE1
Snap share88%70%
Injury designationquestionable—
Start/Sit record0–1—

Recent form

Michael Pittman Jr. — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs NE
Week 1vs ATL

Pat Freiermuth — last 2 weeks

Week 2vs NE
Week 1vs ATL

Signal breakdown

  • 11.4 vs 8.3 projected PPR pointsMichael Pittman Jr. +
  • Rank 32 vs 24Pat Freiermuth +
  • Opponent DvP rank 11 vs 19 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 22.5 vs 22.5 team pointseven
  • questionable vs no designationPat Freiermuth +
  • 88% vs 70% snap shareMichael Pittman Jr. +

Compare different players

Week 3213 players
Player A
vs
Player B

Every fantasy-relevant player this week — search or filter by position.

More Pittman comparisons

More Freiermuth comparisons

This week’s toughest calls

Start/Sit Board•Weekly Rankings•Streamers•Sleepers & Busts•Waiver Wire•My Team•MLB NRFI Board•Free Tools•NFL Props•NFL Games

Get a Start/Sit call on your whole roster →

Save your team once and see a Start, Sit, or Toss-Up verdict on every player, every week — with the matchup, usage and game-script evidence behind each call.

Add to My Team — free

Or browse this week’s NFL games or NFL player props.