The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.
Name: Michael Pittman Jr.
Position: WR
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 223
Age: 22
Free Agent Year: 2024
Background
Son of the former NFL running back, Pittman Jr. was selected by the Colts with the No. 34 pick in the draft. It was the first time the Colts were on the clock for the draft, and they wanted to make sure they got him. Pittman Jr. was graded very highly on their board and head coach Frank Reich even considered him potentially the top wide receiver in the class.
Expected Role
Though it historically takes rookie wide receivers longer to make an impact, the Colts believe Pittman Jr. has what it takes to go against the odds. If he can prove himself worthy early on in training camp, the WR2 role behind T.Y. Hilton is his to lose. Pittman Jr. will be working exclusively as the X-receiver in the formation, which means almost all of his work will be on the boundary. He will have some competition from Zach Pascal, but Pittman Jr. should be considered the favorite.
2020 Outlook
While most of the rookie wide receivers have joined rosters that could keep them from breaking out right away, Pittman Jr. has the opportunity to make an impact from Day 1. It all depends on his training camp outing, of course. But the USC product has the talent and makeup to be an instant starter.
Given he has the frame, length and hands that Philip Rivers loves to target, Pittman Jr. should be able to make an impact right away. He can work both down the field as a contested-catch artist while also being a target underneath for Rivers. Of all the rookie wide receivers, Pittman Jr. has the chance to be one of the top producers in the class in Year 1.
Bottom Line
The Colts have a solid wide receiver corps but one that has some proving to do. Pittman Jr. certainly falls in line with that, but his upside is great. He has a clear path to production and impact from the start and the Colts are ready to give him a healthy workload as soon as he arrives.