Okay, let’s talk about something I wrestled with recently. Had to make a choice for my lineup, and it came down to Marquise Brown or Michael Pittman. It’s one of those decisions, right? Both guys have potential, but different situations. So, I figured I’d walk you through how I tried to figure it out.
First off, I just kinda looked at the names on the screen. My gut initially leaned towards Brown, honestly. You see ‘Chiefs’, you see Mahomes, and you think upside. Hollywood’s got that speed, and we know Mahomes can sling it. That big play potential is always tempting.
But then I paused. Gut feelings are fine, but I needed to actually look at things. So, what I did was pull up their recent game logs. I wasn’t doing super deep math, just looking at the basics: targets, catches, yards, did they score?
My Process: Breaking It Down
I started comparing their target numbers. Pittman jumped out pretty quickly. He seems to just soak up targets over there in Indy, doesn’t really matter if it’s Richardson or Minshew throwing the ball. He’s clearly the main guy in that passing offense. That feels safe, you know? A solid floor.
Then I looked back at Brown. The targets were there, maybe not quite as consistently high as Pittman’s, but decent. The thing with the Chiefs, though, is the ball gets spread around. Kelce’s the main man, obviously, and then it can be anyone’s guess week to week between Rice, Brown, or whoever else. So, while the potential for a huge game is there with Brown because of the offense and QB, the consistency felt a bit shakier compared to Pittman.
Next, I thought about the quarterbacks more directly. Mahomes is, well, Mahomes. Best in the league. That’s a massive plus for Brown. Even a few targets from Mahomes can turn into big points. For Pittman, you’ve got the situation in Indy. Richardson’s out, Minshew’s in. Minshew is capable, and he does seem to like targeting Pittman, which is good. It’s not Mahomes-level upside, but maybe it provides that steady volume Pittman needs.
I also briefly considered injuries. Both guys have had their dings in the past, like most players. Didn’t seem like either had a major, glaring issue right now that made the decision obvious, but it’s always in the back of my mind.
So, I kinda laid out the main points I was juggling:
- Brown: Higher ceiling potential due to QB and offense, but maybe a lower floor due to target competition.
- Pittman: Likely higher floor due to massive target share, feels safer week-to-week, even with a less explosive offense/QB situation.
Making the Call (For Now)
Thinking about my own team this week, I wasn’t desperate for a home run. I needed someone reliable, someone I could count on for a decent point total. That safety net felt more valuable than chasing the boom potential that Brown offers.
So, after going back and forth, I ended up slotting Michael Pittman into my lineup. The consistent volume just felt like the right play for what I needed. It wasn’t easy, and honestly, Brown could absolutely go off and make me regret it. That’s fantasy for you.
That was my process, anyway. Just looking at the situation, checking the recent usage, thinking about the context around each player, and finally deciding based on what fit my team’s needs best this time around. Hope sharing my walkthrough helps someone else staring at a similar tough call!
