LA Chargers: Full BoltBeat Roundtable 2020 mock draft

With the 71st pick, Alexander Insdorf (me!) selects:

“With the first two picks being on offense, there was some temptation for me to address the defense. When Michael Pittman Jr. was still available though, I just couldn’t pass him up. The LA Chargers should use the first three rounds to address their third receiver need, and Pittman could be the perfect fit.

For his height and weight, Pittman was in the 93rd percentile of 40 times at the combine. His speed is faster than most give him credit for. At 6’4″, he’s one of the best route runners in this class.

The Chargers have struggled mightily with drops over the years. That could turn around if Pittman becomes the third receiver, as his career drop percentage at USC was just 2.8%. If the ball is anywhere near him, he’s going to use his long catch radius and big body to come down with it.

Pittman is also incredibly physical with his body and hands. That obviously applies when fighting for a contested-catch, but it could help the Chargers in other areas. Downfield blocking and special teams could use the assistance. The Chargers lost one of their leading special teams tacklers in Derek Watt to free agency.

Pittman reminds me of what Brandon Marshall was in his prime. A tall, crafty receiver who is able to find soft spots in the defense is what the Chargers need right now. Some compare him to Mike Williams, but he’s more of a complementary piece than a clone of Williams. While he’s good at going up for jump balls and contested catches, his strength is really his route running.”