Colts: 3 offensive players Philip Rivers will turn into stars

2. Michael Pittman Jr.

Wide receivers don’t always burst onto the scene as rookies, but we fully believe that Michael Pittman Jr. will turn that narrative on its head this campaign. The latest buzz out of Colts camp suggests the former USC star is lining up as the start opposite Hilton in two wideout sets.

Just think of the magnitude of targets Pittman will receive if opposing defenses focus most of their attention on the four-time Pro Bowler, who is now healthy and cleared for liftoff entering a contract year. Call us crazy, but Indianapolis’ earliest selection in the 2020 Draft could give Hilton a run for his money in terms of becoming the team’s leading receiver.

At 6-foot-4, Pittman offers Rivers something the 5-foot-10 Hilton doesn’t, and that is height in the red zone. In our eyes, six or seven touchdowns in Year 1 is very much in the cards for the 22-year-old wideout.

This team has a need for wideout options long-term; after all, Hilton’s return is no certainty, no matter how much he wants to end his career in Indianapolis. Luckily, the Colts didn’t have to splurge and trade up to get a high-impact talent in this impressively deep receiver class, and Pittman fell right into their lap.

Rivers is ready for him.