From now until the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
# 6 Michael Pittman Jr/WR USC – 6’4”, 220 lbs
The Good
- Has great size to work with on the perimeter
- Plays with a real mean streak of physicality
- Superb blocker for the wide receiver position
- Might be wearing stickum, fantastic hands
- Good catch radius to complement long frame
- Has some good contact balance
- Makes catches through contact with ease
- Really good ability to track the ball and make adjustments
- Fantastic body control on the sideline
- Shows the ability to rise and win above the rim
- Able to find the open zone in zone coverage
- Uses his frame well to deceive DBs in his routes
- Some suddenness in his quick cuts while running routes
- Knows how to use his physicality to separate
- Fantastic special teams ability
- Punt and kick return experience
The Bad
- Average long speed
- Very little explosiveness or additional ‘juice’
- Does not separate as often as you would like
- Not overly dynamic after the catch
- Releases are somewhat labored as he tries to muscle his way through press coverage
- Needs to use hands better off the line to help against lengthier corners
- Some tightness in his hips that inhibit his overall change of direction
- Needs to add more variety of releases
Bio
- 2019: 101 receptions, 1275 yards, 11 TD
- Career: 171 receptions, 2519 yards, 19 TD
- 2020 Senior Bowl invitee
- Two-time First-Team All-Pac 12, once as a special teamer and once as a receiver
- Father, Michael Pittman, played at Fresno State and then a decade in the NFL
Among a loaded wide receiver, there is a rich crop of senior wide receivers that will get a chance to prove just how good they are at the Senior Bowl next week.