Old Darnold WR would love an NFL reunion
MOBILE, Ala. — One of the Jets’ priorities this off season is finding some weapons for quarterback to Sam Darnold to throw to. How about one he already knows well?
Michael Pittman Jr. is at the Senior Bowl this week, trying to impress teams and move his name up draft boards in a loaded year for wide receivers. The USC graduate would welcome the chance to play with Darnold again for the Jets.
“That would be great,” Pittman said. “Sammy D was like one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever played with. He’s just a straight gamer. He is a young quarterback that has 10-15 years left. That would be nice to have that run with him.” Pittman played his first two seasons with the Trojans with Darnold. He became a starter midway through that second season and caught plenty of passes from Darnold. Pittman said he tries to leave the Jets quarterback alone now.
“Because he’s such a busy guy,” Pittman said. “I don’t want to be nagging at him because he’s got a whole franchise to worry about. Me and him are friends. We’ve always been cool. Next time I see him it will be like we never missed a beat.”
Pittman is an intriguing prospect. He is 6- foot -4 and had a highly productive senior season at USC, catching 101 passes for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns. ESPN draft expert Todd McShay called him a top-five receiver in this year’s loaded class while McShay’s colleague Mel Ki per has Pitt man ranked as the No. 8 receiver overall.
Pittman said he has a lot to offer whatever team drafts him.
“I can be a big-play guy for them, one that’s not afraid to go across the middle or go up for balls or block backers. I can do all of that,” he said.
The NFL life won’t be that unexpected for Pittman, whose father Michael played 11 years in the league with the Cardinals, Buccaneers and Broncos. He rushed for 124 yards in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl win after the 2002 season.
Pittman said his father has been giving him guidance through the draft process.
“He’s giving me advice at every step,” he said. “He’s been really great in helping me navigate this new territory.”
Pittman Sr. was a compact running back at 6-foot, 220 pounds. His son does not look like his father with his long limbs.
“I’m tall and long. Yeah, I don’t know why that is. Maybe I’m adopted or something,” Pittman Jr. joked.
Pittman showed how he could take over a game this year against Utah when he had 10 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown in a 30-23 win. Despite his production, there are some doubts around Pittman. He said he believes people are underestimating his speed.
“I’m actually faster than they want to give me credit for,” he said. “I don’t want to put numbers on it, but let’s just say I think people are going to be shocked at the combine.”
The NFL Scouting Combine will be big for Pittman as he tries to show he belongs near the top of this receiver class that is believed to be one of the deepest in years. He is the top senior wideout here this week, but there are plenty of underclassmen who are expected to go early in the draft, starting with Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy.
“We’re all just trying to separate,” Pittman said of the receivers. “Everybody is so talented that they’re making that pretty hard. You just have to keep doing things to put yourself forward and focus on working yourself.”
Where does Pittman rank himself ?
“I don’t want to start ranking guys,” he said with a smile, “but I think that I’m pretty well off.”