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Colts: Power ranking 5 most important players to Indy’s Super Bowl hopes

By Kristen Wong

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 27: Jack Doyle #84, Marlon Mack #25 and Quenton Nelson #56 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrate after Mack ran for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 27: Jack Doyle #84, Marlon Mack #25 and Quenton Nelson #56 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrate after Mack ran for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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Michael Pittman Jr
Michael Pittman Jr. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Michael Pittman Jr

In the 2020 NFL Draft, when Chris Ballard selected Michael Pittman Jr with the 34th pick, it was a watershed moment for Indianapolis. The receiver position had never been a priority for this generation of the Colts until now, and this was fairly significant capital to invest in the position. In 2021, the investment could pay off.

Last season, his rookie year was cut short by a leg injury and he never could meet the lofty expectations that came with being an early-round draft pick. In 14 games played (including the playoffs), Pittman had 45 catches for 593 yards and one touchdown in 2020. A more intriguing stat details Pittman’s efficiency on drag routes: he recorded nine catches on 10 targets for 176 yards and one touchdown. All of his catches, by the way, came after Week 10 of last season.

So he can produce in important, season-deciding games. But can he get along with quarterback Carson Wentz? Based on a recent interview with The Athletic (subscription required), hell yes.

"“It was the first or second time I had thrown with him, and we were running post routes and he threw a 65-yard post. I was like, oh, my gosh, I really got to dig down and run. I feel like every QB has that leadership trait, and yeah, Carson’s got that to him.”"

Pittman gives Wentz a reliable downfield target when the team gets into the red zone and can dramatically change the Colts’ passing game. Fingers crossed, Pittman will have a clean bill of health for the season and the Wentz-Pittman link-up could be the beginning of a beautiful, and maybe even Super Bowl-contending, friendship.

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