The Indianapolis Colts used their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to address arguably their biggest need entering the offseason. They did so by using the No. 34 overall pick in the draft on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. out of USC.
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The Colts have some intriguing players in the wide receiver room, but Pittman Jr. is likely the most exciting talent outside of T.Y. Hilton. With how quickly he can make an impact, he finds himself in a strong situation almost immediately.
Pro Football Focus believes Pittman Jr. is in the best situation among all rookie wide receivers.
Look at every receiver who has had success with Philip Rivers over his career and the body types he targets most:
- Keenan Allen (6-foot-2, 211 pounds)
- Tyrell Williams (6-foot-4, 205 pounds)
- Malcom Floyd (6-foot-5, 225 pounds)
- Vincent Jackson (6-foot-5, 230 pounds)
- Michael Pittman Jr.* (6-foot-4, 223 pounds)
While it could very well be a coincidence, the fact remains that Rivers has had a ton of success with bigger-bodied wideouts. The Colts didn’t have anything resembling Pittman’s skillset on the roster before drafting him, so he slides immediately into the possession role that Rivers covets.
Though historically rookie wide receivers take time to make an impact during their first season, the Colts have a role for Pittman Jr. upon arrival.
With T.Y. Hilton leading the room and working as the Z receiver, Pittman Jr. will likely take the reigns as the X receiver in the room—a position they haven’t had all that much talent in recent seasons.
Pittman Jr. has all of the necessary skills to be a strong X receiver on the boundary and given Rivers’ history of targeting that type of receiver with success, it bodes well for the rookie.
The Colts need more production out of their wide receiver room in 2020 and while Hilton will be the alpha dog, Pittman Jr. will have every chance to turn into a steady contributor.
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