Even with a regular offseason, rookie wide receivers typically take a little more time to develop than other positions. But after facing virtually no offseason work due to COVID-19 restrictions, Indianapolis Colts rookie Michael Pittman Jr. is still on the learning curve.
The USC product has been struggling a bit with drops during his first training camp. It is nothing to be overly concerned about, especially given his history of securing receptions throughout college.
Head coach Frank Reich believes those issues will go away once Pittman Jr. gets more comfortable mentally within the offense.
“Yeah, I think he’s got really good hands and I think he is just going to get better and better as time goes on. He looked good out there today,” Reich said Saturday following the team’s final scrimmage. “He’s had a couple drops, but he works hard at it and once he gets through the process of mentally having to process so much stuff – you can see Michael (Pittman) getting more and more comfortable with the offense, knowing his assignment and not having to think so much. I think as he gets more and more comfortable, then you’re going to see his physical talent including how good his hands are will just completely take over.”
Pittman Jr. had a few drops during the team’s final scrimmage on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. But he bounced back nicely to make a few contested catches in heavy traffic during the second half of the scrimmage.
As T.Y. Hilton firmly solidifies himself as the alpha-dog in the wide receiver room, Pittman Jr. has a chance to entrench himself as the WR2 to begin the season. His biggest competition in Parris Campbell (concussion) and Zach Pascal (hamstring) both sat out Saturday’s scrimmage.
The Colts passing offense should have a solid boost thanks to the addition of Philip Rivers and once Pittman Jr. gets fully acclimated with the scheme, he should be coming through with plenty of big plays.