MICHAEL PITTMAN JR. - Prepare For Liftoff!

(Thread)

Pittman was a highly touted WR when entering the NFL after being drafted by the Colts early in the 2nd round with pick 34 (WR8)!

Injuries stalled the start of his rookie season, but now he’s back... prepare for liftoff!

• College stats •

Pittman spent 4 years at USC with the following stat line:
171/2519/19

It was really his JR and SR years where he stepped up and started to show the traits that would lead to him being a top WR in the 2020 draft class!

2018: 41/758/6
2019: 101/1275/11

• Season So Far •

Pittman made a quiet start to the season, his first 3 games went as follows:

Week 1 @ JAX - 2/10
Week 2 Vs MIN - 4/37
Week 3 Vs NYJ - 3/26

It was encouraging that Pittman saw the field early in his career, even handling a 92% snap share in Week 2

Pittman sadly suffered a calf injury in Week 3 against the Jets which required surgery and led to him missing time until his return in Week 8.

That week, @ DET he only played 59% of snaps and was held to 1 catch for 6 yards.

However it was Week 9 & 10 when Pittman started to...

Show why the Colts regarded him so highly and drafted him with the 2nd pick in the 2nd round.

Week 9 Vs BAL - 4/56
Week 10 @ TEN - 7/101 - 1/21

Averaging around 14 YPC each week was a great way for Pittman to bounce back from the injury struggles early in the season.

Other notable stats for Pittman so far this season:

• 39.5 Air Yards per game
• 11.1 % of teams Air Yards
• 9.1% of teams targets
• 5.4 Yards after the catch
• 75% Catch Rate

He’s also being used both in the slot and outside:

• 49.3% Slot
• 46.7% Outside

Also, for a guy that is 6’4” and 223 lbs, Pittman possesses a nice burst, which he showed at the combine with his 4.52 40 yard dash time.

In Week 10 against the Titans he had a nice end-around play which resulted in 21 yards and Pittman being tackled just short of the goal line!

• Future Outlook •

Pittman has a tasty schedule coming up to round off the season (rank vs passing):

Vs GB (22nd)
Vs TEN (19th)
@ HOU (23rd)
@ LV (26th)
Vs HOU (23rd)
@ PIT (8th)
Vs JAX (32nd)

Pittman has a great chance for a strong showing ROS!

Beyond 2020 the future also looks bright for Pittman in his situation! QB Philip Rivers is coming towards the end of his career and there is every chance they look to upgrade in the near future should the opportunity arise.

Also Colts WR1 T.Y Hilton isn’t getting any younger at 31 y/o, and he will be a FA at the end of the season so the door for Pittman to become the lead outside WR for the Colts could be open!

Fellow WR Parris Campbell will return from injury but he is better utilised in the slot

• Conclusion •

Pittman is a great add in redraft with the schedule he has ROS. After his big Week 10 performance he may have been picked up off waivers but he’s still only owned in 23.4% of ESPN leagues. Even if rostered, he’s still someone I think you could acquire cheap.

In dynasty, he is a great buy low target right now. He may have had one big week but following the slow start and how well other rookie WRs are performing, owners may still be down on Pittman.

His value on DLF is an early 2021 2nd which I think is about right...

And If you are a playoff team and can grab him for your mid/late 2nd, I would do that in an instant!

Your buy window is closing, so grab him now to help push for the championship in 2020 and before his value takes off!

Also, be sure to check out @ZtwiceFF’s preseason breakdown article of Pittman after he was drafted by the Colts, where he covered Pittman’s college film and production! https://www.ffastronauts.com/post/why-michael-pittman-jr-can-be-the-top-wr-of-the-2020-class