Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr.’s Bold Goal Could Turn Indy Into the AFC’s Worst Nightmare

The Indianapolis Colts have a squad. They’ve arguably the NFL‘s finest operating again in Jonathan Taylor, a powerful protection, and a brand new veteran quarterback in Matt Ryan.

Nonetheless, Indy’s success in 2022 will come all the way down to its passing weapons, and extensive receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has set a daring aim for himself. If he can dwell as much as it, Pittman would flip the Colts into the AFC’s worst nightmare.

Michael Pittman Jr. desires to turn out to be a transparent No. 1 extensive receiver

Pittman had a breakout sophomore marketing campaign for the Colts in 2021. After catching 40 passes for 503 yards and a landing in 13 video games as a rookie, the USC product recorded 88 receptions for 1,082 yards and 6 touchdowns final 12 months.

He was the one Colts receiver to persistently succeed with quarterback Carson Wentz. No different gamers even gained at the very least 385 receiving yards.

So, now that he has a extra achieved QB in Matt Ryan throwing to him, Pittman has an enormous aim for himself in 2022: He desires to show to everybody that he’s a real No. 1 receiver.

“I’m simply making an attempt to take the subsequent step,” he stated, per the IndyStar. “Final 12 months, I stated that I used to be going to double each single class, and I did that. This 12 months, I’m making an attempt to construct on that and turn out to be that particular Receiver No. 1 that everyone talks about.”

“Everyone has their very own definition,” he added. “I believe I’m that (No. 1 receiver). I’ve simply received to go forward and show that to different folks, with no matter they suppose it’s, whether or not it’s yards, touchdowns, no matter. I’m simply making an attempt to make that subsequent soar.”

Colts followers doubtless know he possesses the expertise to perform this aim. Pittman is an enormous man, standing at 6 toes, 4 inches, and 223 kilos, and he’s a freak athlete. Nonetheless, now it’s time for him to make his abilities clear to the remainder of the NFL.

If he can accomplish this, Pittman can flip the Colts into the AFC’s worst nightmare.

The Colts will attain one other degree if Michael Pittman Jr. can turn out to be a real No. 1 extensive receiver

For some time in 2021, the Colts regarded like a harmful playoff group. They’d a powerful offensive line and one of many NFL’s finest operating backs, Jonathan Taylor. Then, Carson Wentz and the passing sport took a major step backward towards the tip of the 12 months and Indy missed the postseason.

If the Colts can area a extra balanced offensive assault in 2022, they will turn out to be deadly. Groups will not stack the field to sluggish Taylor down, which might, in flip, open up extra operating lanes for him. And if a protection decides to go all in on making an attempt to cease JT, Pittman and his fellow receivers shall be extra open downfield.

With Matt Ryan — who’s already exhibiting similarities to Andrew Luck — behind middle, the one factor preserving the Colts from doing that is the group’s weapons. There can’t be only one participant gaining at the very least 400 receiving yards, and if that’s the case, they higher publish video-game-type numbers.

Pittman didn’t fairly attain that degree final season. But when he can take the subsequent step (and get some assist from a few different receivers), he and the Colts can turn out to be one of the harmful groups within the AFC.

Indianapolis has a proficient operating again and quarterback, and a few expert offensive linemen. It additionally has a deep protection with gamers like Darius Leonard and DeForest Buckner. If Michael Pittman Jr. can turn out to be a real No. 1 receiver, the Colts have an opportunity to make a deep run on this 12 months’s playoffs.

Stats courtesy of Professional Soccer Reference

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