Draft Profile: Michael Pittman Jr.

February 12, 2020 /
  • Height: 6’4″
  • Weight: 220lb
  • College: USC
  • Tape watched: Utah, BYU, Colorado, Notre Dame
  • NFL Comparison: Mike Evans

Pros

  • Size
    Not just tall, not just a big frame, Michael Pittman Jr. inherited every bit of his father’s genes.  If you have never seen the physical specimen that is Michael Pittman Sr., take a moment and google his name.  Pittman Jr. is a grown ass man and there is no better way to put it.  He boxes corners out on 50/50 balls, he muscles up in the blocking game, and he has a great catch radius.  You want a physical receiver Pittman just might be WR1 in this department.
  • Hands
    Generally speaking, the football is Michael Pittman Jr’s.  The ball disappears in Pittman’s grasp, able to snag the ball and protect it from the defense quickly.  The only drops came on quick hitches where his eyes went up field before securing the ball. Pittman Jr. is a true redzone threat.
  • YAC
    For a 6’4” receiver weighing 220 pounds, Pittman Jr. has burst after the catch.  He is a nightmare to tackle in open space when he has momentum behind him.  Pittman Jr. has good enough speed to change field and cut through defensive lanes. 
  • Footwork
    My absolute favorite part of Pittman’s game is his footwork.  Whether on his release, or footwork through his route breaks, Pittman has light and very definitive feet.  His chop steps are so impressive for a receiver of his size and stride, and he’s able to lower his hips through his breaks to create great separation.
  • Blocking
    Absolutely dominant if he gets his hands on you, Pittman Jr. has good form and breakdown on his stalk blocks, and as a lead blocker can be dominant against corners.  At times he can get outside of his technique and whiff on blocks, but more refinement should clean those issues up.

Cons

  • Route Tree
    Michael Pittman Jr. was confined to running streaks, hitches, and quick-outs.  He ran the occasional slant extremely well also. Pittman Jr. possesses good burst out of his breaks on the aforementioned routes, however. 
Pittman showcases why his speed concerns shouldn’t be a problem at the next level. He moved his pad level and shoulders away from the bump coverage, and splits the corner and safety with a nice touchdown catch.
  • Speed/Lateral Quickness
    This is only a con if you ask Pittman Jr. to play outside of his play style.  Pittman Jr. is never going to be the guy that beats safeties over the top with speed.  The great part is it isn’t going to matter for Pittman Jr. in the NFL.  He has enough speed to get to his spots as a true X receiver.  I think Pittman runs faster than most people think at the combine too, for what it’s worth.
  • Release
    Michael Pittman Jr. has a good release off the line of scrimmage, all things considered.  His downfalls seem to come from not using his hands and inherent strength more often.  For someone with good footwork but average lateral agility, he can do himself a lot of favors using his arm strength to punch corners and rip through press coverage.

Overview

Michael Pittman Jr. has the special blend of absurd size and strength mixed with great footwork and good enough speed to challenge defenses in the NFL.  His senior year tape was dominant, and his game should transfer well to a team that will let him thrive as an outside man-coverage-beating receiver.  His route tree was limited in college, but that can be said with a lot of receivers that are drafted (See: D.K. Metcalf).  Pittman Jr. is going to make a team very happy in the second or third round.