Andrew Erickson· Aug 12, 2026
Erickson likes Michael Pittman Jr. in Pittsburgh as a value relative to ADP, projecting him as a WR3-caliber contributor who could lead the Steelers in receptions and targets. He also views Josh Downs as a value with a possible full-time role, and Wan'Dale Robinson as an underrated volume earner in Tennessee, while calling Khalil Shakir a floor-based depth option rather than a breakout.
“If the Steelers lean heavily on quick-game concepts, Pittman could easily lead the team in receptions/targets.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
7 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 3 sleeper calls and 1 fantasy bust call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands above the room on 1 and below it on 2.
Where this call stands in the room
Michael Pittman · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Andrew Erickson said 1. the room's median is 2. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
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Who this take is about
7 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Fantasy Bust CallsKhalil ShakirBuffalo BillsAug 12, 2026
Khalil Shakir to fall short of his draft cost (Overall RK129 | ECR vs. ADP: +24)
“fantasy managers should view him more as a floor-based depth option than a breakout candidate”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Michael Pittman to be 1st on the depth chart
“If the Steelers lean heavily on quick-game concepts, Pittman could easily lead the team in receptions/targets.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsWan'Dale RobinsonTennessee TitansAug 12, 2026
Wan'Dale Robinson to outplay his draft cost (Overall RK101 | ECR vs. ADP: +13)
“Wan’Dale Robinson (TEN) — WR44, Overall RK101 | ECR vs. ADP: +13”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Michael Pittman to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Pittman’s volume and red-zone involvement should keep him firmly in the WR3 mix in a pass-happier offense led by HC MIke McCarthy”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 12, 2026
Josh Downs to outplay his draft cost (Overall RK97 | ECR vs. ADP: +20)
“Josh Downs (IND) — WR42, Overall RK97 | ECR vs. ADP: +20”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh DownsIndianapolis ColtsAug 12, 2026
Josh Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
“a late-season route bump could suggest more of Downs in a full-time role in 2026”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Sleeper CallsMichael PittmanPittsburgh SteelersAug 12, 2026
Michael Pittman to outplay his draft cost (Overall RK90 | ECR vs. ADP: +13)
“Michael Pittman Jr. (PIT) — WR39, Overall RK90 | ECR vs. ADP: +13 ... Players Experts Love”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Noah ComptonDepth Chart Calls · C.J. AllenMiss · 0After watching the Colts' eleventh training camp practice, Compton says rookie linebacker CJ Allen is still expected to start the regular-season opener, identifies Alec Pierce as the team's top receiver and Cam Taylor-Britt as the first cornerback behind the starting trio, and declares the kicking job Blake Grupe's to lose.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Evan SilvaFantasy Defense Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
- Eric CohenGame Outcome Picks · Tennessee TitansMiss · 0Cohen says the Bears win easily in Carolina, and that Tennessee starts 1-0 over a Jets team he considers the third-worst in the league.
- Jordan DajaniGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Dajani expects the Steelers to comfortably beat the Falcons in Week 1, arguing Atlanta's quarterback situation under Tua Tagovailoa is a mess; he also picks the Vikings to beat the Packers in a low-scoring game.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice touts Kyler Murray as a value QB who will start Week 1 for Minnesota, Tyler Shough as the Saints' undisputed starter, and Juwan Johnson and Terrance Ferguson as late-round tight end targets.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Kyler MurrayHit · 100Fitzmaurice expects Kyler Murray to be Minnesota's Week 1 starter and calls him one of the better quarterback values in 2026 drafts; he also views Jordan Love as a top-10 real-life quarterback but only a QB2 in fantasy.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Mike FlorioDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Florio reports the Browns will start Deshaun Watson in Week 1 but predicts Shedeur Sanders will likely be the starting quarterback by Week 3.