Michael Pittman Jr. Fantasy

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., drafted 34th overall in the second round, logged the most deep catches (12) of 20-plus air yards and receiving yards (493) in the Pac-12 last year and the fourth-most yards after the catch in the Pac-12 since 2018 with 716, per Pro Football Focus. Colts receivers had the fewest deep receptions in the NFL last season -- just six on 34 target -- so Pittman could be an immediate fit in the deep passing game for quarterback Philip Rivers. With T.Y. Hilton drawing coverage away from the rookie, Pittman has a pretty safe floor as a WR5/6 target late in fantasy drafts this year. He's been compared to former Chargers wideout Vincent Jackson, who had plenty of success on the deep ball when hooking up with Rivers.

Jun. 16th • 1:13 PM

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they have signed wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to his four-year rookie deal. The Colts have now signed eight of their nine draft picks from this year. Pittman, who is 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, was taken in the second round (34th overall) after compiling 171 catches for 2,519 yards and 19 touchdowns in 48 career games at USC. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 last year and finishes 12th on the Trojans' career receptions list. The 22-year-old is set to start immediately across from T.Y. Hilton in his first year in the NFL, and he should be at least a late-round pick in redraft leagues for his contested-catch abilities down the field. Colts coaches have compared him to Vincent Jackson, a big receiver who thrived with Philip Rivers throwing him passes for the Chargers.

Jun. 15th • 10:20 PM

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich says that he envisions rookie wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. becoming the team's X receiver and thinks that Pittman can become that player "pretty quickly." That role would see Pittman playing on the outside, usually lined up in a 1-on-1 situation with a defender. It's a key offensive role, and Reich's words about Pittman suggest he should play a sizable role in Indianapolis right off the bat, potentially as quarterback Philip River's secondary target. Pittman's almost certainly going to be undervalued in fantasy drafts this season, but he's a great fit for this Colts team and should be the team's deep option.

May. 4th • 3:03 PM