12th Man Rising
FanSided

Wide receivers the Seahawks should target in the 2020 NFL Draft

By Geoff Shull

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball in the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes carries the ball in the first quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 23: Darnay Holmes #1 of the UCLA Bruins defends as Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans makes a catch 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 of the UCLA Bruins defends as Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans makes a catch 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) /

Seahawks target five: Michael Pittman Jr., Senior, USC

Michael Pittman is an absolute monster. He possesses a rare blend of size and physicality that is a mismatch waiting to happen. Pittman stands at 6’4” and weighs 220lbs.

Pittman’s style of play can only be described as bully ball. He has no hesitation to create contact with defenders during the route and after the catch. His physical style of play often results in broken tackles. He plays a limited route tree (comeback, slants and quick outs), but plays it well.

He has an exceptional catch radius which works well with his route running tree. His best catches are often where the QB throws the ball his way and says go up and get it. That’s perfect for third-down plays, much in the way the Seahawks utilized Josh Gordon this year. His pass blocking is out of this world. If he is tasked with blocking a player, that player is almost guaranteed to be out of the play.


While his physicality sets him apart from the rest, he does have some draws. He is nowhere near a burner; if you task him with post routes you won’t be pleased with what you get. This again brings back the Seattle typically only targets 4.4, 40-yard dash receivers. Pittman is likely nowhere near this. His route tree is very limited. His physicality can sometimes result in unnecessary penalties.

His game reminds me of Dez Bryant. Bryant is a better athlete; however, both made a name for themselves using physicality to get open. Both players are absolute tanks to get down in the open field. Both players excelled in pass protection and as a lead blocker. If Pittman can establish a more well-rounded route tree he should quickly find a home in the NFL as a starter.

Player comparison: Dez Bryant

Draft projection: 4th round

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