With The First Pick
Fansided

Texans: 4 2020 NFL Draft prospects to target to replace DeAndre Hopkins

By Cory Kinnan

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans catches a pass defended by Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans catches a pass defended by Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans makes a catch from quarterback Matt Fink #19 in the game against the Utah Utes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. #6 of the USC Trojans makes a catch from quarterback Matt Fink #19 in the game against the Utah Utes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

Michael Pittman Jr., USC

A receiver who could make his way into the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and would be an adequate rookie replacement for DeAndre Hopkins is the former USC Trojan standout Michael Pittman Jr. The son of former Super Bowl winning running back Michael Pittman, Pittman Jr. has outgrown his father and is on his way to his own professional career.

Pittman Jr. is quite the fluid receiver for a man who is 6-4 and 223 pounds. It shows up both on film and at the combine, where Pittman as an elite athlete for his frame. While his explosiveness does not stand out, jumping to historically average numbers in the vertical and broad jumps, it was his agility drills that pop off the screen.

Running a sub-seven second three-cone time is usually the threshold, but not one that many big-bodied receivers can hit (looking at you D.K. Metcalf). However, not only did Pittman Jr. hit that mark, running a 6.96 second time, but he also tested in the top 19 percent of all receivers historically in his short shuttle.

Look out for the former USC wide receiver to follow in his father’s footsteps and have a stellar NFL career.

Home/Houston Texans