Throughout the pre-draft process, it became clear that former USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was shaping up to be just the kind of prospect the Indianapolis Colts would target in the 2020 NFL draft.
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He checks nearly every box for the Colts. From being a team captain, working at the Senior Bowl and having the skill set that works perfectly in the offense, Pittman Jr. seemed like a no-brainer in terms of a fit.
Pittman Jr. himself even felt that way. The wide receiver, who was taken No. 34 overall by Indy, felt pretty good about being picked by the Colts.
“Yeah, so actually I was almost certain that I was going to be a Colt today,” Pittman Jr. told reporters after being drafted. “Just based on the conversations that we had. I felt like we had a good connection and I just felt like it was the right fit.”
The Colts passed on signing a wide receiver in free agency. The position was shaping up to be the team’s biggest need and without a first-round pick, it was becoming more likely that the Colts would be using one of their early second-round picks on a wide receiver.
The fit with Pittman Jr. was simply too good to pass up for the Colts. The path they see him developing into could wind up making him the WR1 in the offense down the road.
“It usually takes receivers a little bit of time, but we think he has the maturity and the skill to develop probably faster than most. But it still will take some time, but we are excited about that,” said Frank Reich. “You’ve got to have guys like a T.Y. Hilton who you know can be your dog – he can be your go-to guy. Michael needs to develop into that for us. That’s our hope, that is our vision for him.”
Pittman Jr. will work as the X-receiver in the formation, spending his time on the boundary. His excellent footwork for his size and ability to create subtle separation while making contested catches on the regular has the Colts excited.
It’s a mutual feeling for Pittman Jr., who should fit in almost immediately into the passing game for the Colts.
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