The biggest concern for the Indianapolis Colts going into the 2020 NFL Draft was finding a No. 2 wide receiver.
The organization didn’t bring in much help during the offseason, so many assumed the Colts would take a receiver early in the draft.
That was true, as the Colts drafted USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. with the No. 34 overall pick.
It seemed like a no-brainer for the Colts and Pittman had a feeling Indy would select him with that pick.
“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.”
With the No. 34 overall pick, the @Colts select @USC_Athletics WR Michael Pittman Jr.!
📺: 2020 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: https://t.co/G7fI4L8MxF pic.twitter.com/mmqzwkwN89— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2020
Why Did the Colts Select Pittman?
The Colts were in desperate need of a big bodied receiver that they could pair next to T.Y. Hilton.
General manager Chris Ballard said Pittman reminds him of a “Vincent Jackson-like” type of player.
A big bodied receiver that can be a deep threat and catch the 50-50 balls.
Head coach Frank Reich agreed with the comparison and said the Colts would love to get the type of production that Jackson had throughout his career.
The Colts feel that Pittman is the type of player that could evolve into a No. 1 option for the team in the future.
“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.”
They know he’s talented and if Pittman can end up anything like Vincent Jackson then that would be great for the Colts organization.
Pittman’s College Career
It’s not surprising that Pittman was drafted early in the draft after his fantastic senior season.
Pittman didn’t see much action during his first two seasons at USC.
He hauled in just 29 receptions through his first 18 games in college.
However, Pittman made a big jump during his junior season and put himself on the NFL radar.
Pittman finished with 41 receptions, 758 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 2018.
He followed up that season with an incredible senior campaign that turned him into one of the top tier receivers in the draft.
During the 2019 season, Pittman hauled in 101 receptions, 1,275 yards, and 11 touchdowns through 13 games.
Those are superstar type of numbers, so it’s not surprising to see why the Colts took Pittman with No. 34 selection.
The Colts are hopeful that Pittman can continue to produce at that kind of level in the NFL.
Colts go with USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Love the pick.
Big-bodied WR, can go up and get it, only 2 drops in 140 targets last season.
Precisely what this offense needs right now.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) April 24, 2020
Was Drafting Pittman The Right Call?
The Colts had to decide whether they should take Pittman or Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor when their No. 34 selection arrived.
They ended up with both players, but took Pittman because they felt that he was the more explosive player.
The Colts desperately need an impact receiver especially when they didn’t have a first-round pick this year.
Pittman is a great fit for the Colts current roster and can immediately make an impact on the team.
Indy knows they have Hilton for at least one more season, but are hopeful that Pittman can develop into their future superstar receiver.
He definitely has the potential to become a star in the NFL, but time will tell.
It appears it was a mutual feeling that Pittman and the Colts should be together, so hopefully, they made the right decision.
It shouldn’t take long before Pittman is making an impact on the field this season.
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