The Colts have made more headway in signing their draft picks than most teams, and they agreed to terms with their top 2020 choice Monday.
Michael Pittman Jr. signed his four-year rookie contract this afternoon. The slot deal for No. 34 overall will be worth $8.6MM. The USC product moves the Colts closer to having their full draft class signed. Only third-round pick Julian Blackmon is unsigned, and due to vaguer contract language, third-rounders’ deals often cause holdups.
A second-generation NFLer, Pittman will be expected to play an integral role from the outset. The Colts were in need of more help at wideout beyond T.Y. Hilton. The team has now used second-round picks on receivers in back-to-back years, with the Pittman selection following Parris Campbell‘s 2019 arrival. Campbell missed much of his rookie season because of injuries.
Pittman broke through as a senior in 2019, hauling in 101 passes for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns. Frank Reich was a key part of the effort to land Pittman, who was the eighth receiver off the board in a loaded draft at the position. With Hilton entering a contract year and set to turn 31 in November, the Colts are better set up long-term with Pittman in the fold.
Here is how the Colts’ signing efforts look as of June 15:
2-34: Michael Pittman, WR (USC): Signed
2-41: Jonathan Taylor, RB (Wisconsin): Signed
3-85: Julian Blackmon, S (Utah)
4-122: Jacob Eason, QB (Washington): Signed
5-149: Danny Pinter, G (Ball State): Signed
6-193: Robert Windsor, DT (Penn State): Signed
6-211: Isaiah Rodgers, CB (UMass): Signed
6-212: Dezmon Patmon, WR (Washington State): Signed
6-213: Jordan Glasgow, S (Michigan): Signed
Colts had a great draft. Two borderline 1st rounders for the offense immediately.
He’s the next Michael Pittman!
Too bad their QB is well past his prime. But for some strange reason most people seem to think that a 38-year old Rivers is going to be significantly better than the 37-year old version was in his last year as the Chargers QB, with a passer rating of 88.5, which wasn’t even as bad as the 87.9 rating he had in 2016 when he led the league in INT’s.
I am one of those folks. I believe that behind a stable and “veteran” line such as the Colts displayed last year, Rivers will find his timing and rhythm once again. Chargers ( yes they do have one fan) have a terrible time keeping a healthy and consistent O line on the field.
That being said, I’m looking forward to watching their D display their athleticism this season…
just my humble opinion…
Exactly. A stable presence at QB puts them in playoff picture.
They are an example of a team that was a QB away from greatness.
Steelers, Colts and maybe even Bucs were all great teams wasting talent with bad QB play in 2019.. all 3 get HUGE improvements for 20
He’ll be better then Brissett was last year