Fansided

10 NFL rookies who could become instant stars in 2020

By Nicholas McGee

Joe Burrow, LSU Tigers. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Joe Burrow, LSU Tigers. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 23: Darnay Holmes #1 and Stephan Blaylock #4 of the UCLA Bruins tackle Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 23: Darnay Holmes #1 and Stephan Blaylock #4 of the UCLA Bruins tackle Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

 Michael Pittman Jr. – Indianapolis Colts

Pittman arguably merited going higher than the 34th-overall pick but can have no grievances over his landing spot.

The former USC Trojan is an excellent fit for the Indianapolis Colts and for their new quarterback Philip Rivers, who has regularly thrived throwing to bigger-bodied boundary receivers.

In his final seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Rivers developed an excellent rapport with first-round pick Mike Williams.

Pittman’s upside is arguably even higher than that of Williams. At 6’4″ and 219 pounds, Pittman can easily high-point the football and demonstrates the body control to adjust to it in the air.

He shows nuance as a route-runner and does not have to rely solely on his physicality to win his matchups. Pittman is far from a home-run hitter but displays the speed to rip off significant gains after the catch.

In Indianapolis, he should have ample opportunity as a rookie to demonstrate his well-rounded skill set. Though T.Y. Hilton is set to return from an injury-hindered 2019, the Colts have little in the way of established pass-catchers behind the veteran.

Pittman should, therefore, expect to be targeted early and often by Rivers as he takes his first steps in the NFL. What he did at USC suggests Pittman will make the most of a potentially high target share and breathe new life into a Colts passing game that was too often stagnant last season.

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