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EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN'S DRAFT TRADES
MICHAEL PITTMAN JR.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE
6-foot-4
220 pounds
22 years old
BIG PICTURE
The son of a former NFL player, Michael Pittman ended his collegiate career on a monster note with 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He improved his production every year with the Trojans, becoming a second-team All-American thanks to his 101 receptions in 2019. Shapes up as a contested catch beast that will help block in the run game.
COMBINE NOTABLES
4.52 40-yard dash
13 bench reps
36.5-inch vertical
121-inch broad jump
6.96 3-cone drill (4th)
4.14 20-yard shuttle (2nd)
VIKINGS COMPATIBILITY RANKING
2.5 out of 5. A huge target that seems to do a lot of things well. But what is his NFL upside? That's why the Vikings, or any team, will have to decide.
HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: "Big, smart and reliable, Pittman falls into the "possession receiver" bin, but has top-notch ball skills that allow him to bully and best cornerbacks down the field. Improving release quickness against press will be an early focal point in an NFL camp, but his frame and physicality should create work space underneath even with close coverage. He lacks the speed and separation quickness teams covet from WR1 candidates, but he comes from NFL bloodlines and plays with a pro demeanor. He should be a productive plug-and-play talent at WR2 early in his career."
Benjamin Solak, Draft Network: "Michael Pittman is a scheme-specific candidate on Day 2 who has starting potential in the NFL. With huge mitts, a long frame, and good competitiveness and physicality at the catch point, Pittman wins in the vertical third of routes -- the nine ball, the deep comeback, and the quick out are where he's at his strongest; he can also win on slants and hitches with his size, catch radius, and some plus routes. Pittman lacks the ideal long speed of a deep receiver, however, and is an average separation player given a long stride and tight hips. In a vertical offense that's willing to throw contested balls to the sideline, Pittman could play a role as a downfield receiver able to dominate man coverage given his physical profile. He'll be a plus special-teams option and a worthy depth player with a red zone role on all."
WHAT PFF SAYS
493 deep yards (18th)
4.8 YAC per reception (T-196th)
80.4 overall grade last year
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
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