Breaking down the top 5 Colts players of 2023 according to PFF

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR) — 77.7

Rounding out the list is Indianapolis’ No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Since he entered the league back in 2020, Pittman has been producing at a high level. He’s been an essential piece of the Colts' offense as the team’s leading receiver for three years in a row.

A lot changed for the Indianapolis offense in 2023 — a new playcaller in first-year head coach Shane Steichen, a new rookie QB, and a midseason QB switch. However, one of the few things that didn’t change was Pittman’s excellence on the field. This season, Pittman led all Colts pass-catchers in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

The former USC standout’s 77.7 overall PFF grade reflected yet another impressive season that demonstrated his well-rounded skillset. In 2023, Pittman showed off his reliability (just three drops with a drop rate of 1.9%), underrated explosiveness (20 receptions that went 20+ yards), and ability to be a high-volume possession receiver (fifth-most catches in the NFL with a monster 29% target share).

This was the last year of Pittman’s rookie contract and PFF projects him to be one of the most in-demand free agents of the 2024 offseason. Given Pittman’s value, the Colts will have to pay up to keep him in Indianapolis.