The Falcons have spoken with Kyle Pitts on multiple occasions this offseason, conducting two Zoom meetings with this draft’s top tight end prospect, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. Another Falcons Zoom meeting is scheduled as well, Pitts said.
Holding the No. 4 overall pick, the Falcons had key staffers on hand at Pitts’ pro day Wednesday. New HC Arthur Smith attended the ex-Florida Gator weapon’s showcase, and Pitts spoke with Falcons brass at the event.
“They were saying that they have interest in me,” Pitts said, via Ledbetter. “After today, we’ll get on another Zoom and they’ll try to learn more about myself. I feel like they are pretty interested.”
The 6-foot-6, 245-pound pass catcher blazed to an unofficial 4.44-second 40-yard dash time Wednesday. While this draft has standout wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes multiple evaluators informed him Wednesday the Florida prospect is the best player available this year (Twitter link). Pitts also boasts the longest wingspan measurement of any wideout or tight end in 20 years. ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Pitts as his No. 2 prospect, behind Trevor Lawrence.
No tight end has been drafted in the top five this century. Only two — Mike Ditka and Riley Odoms, the latter being picked fifth in 1971 — ever have (though, Kellen Winslow Jr. and Vernon Davis came off the 2004 and 2006 boards at No. 6 overall). Pitts broke through in 2020, catching 12 touchdown passes in the COVID-19-shortened college football season and averaging 17.9 yards per catch.
The Falcons have been linked to a possible Matt Ryan heir apparent at No. 4, but with the 49ers trading up for a quarterback, Atlanta is in position to choose this draft’s best non-QB prospect. Prior to Smith’s 2019 promotion to Titans OC, he was a tight ends coach for four seasons. The Falcons have Hayden Hurst signed through 2021, but Pitts would offer a different level of athleticism that might be too enticing to bypass.
If the new regime wants to ‘rebuild’, then trade back! Then trade back again in the 2nd. They need to get young. That was a boring offense and a Swiss cheese D. Next offseason Matt & J Jones contracts are easier too deal with and be loaded w/ a stack load of picks this year and next.
Tom is still throwing egg in their face! 3-28 day was funny!
* to deal with.
If they trade back with lets say panthers. Picks 1 2 3 4 will be QBs. Bengals could go Tackle or j.chase. dolphins go pitts or d.smith.
detorit needs Def or a WR
Falcons could then have their pick at 8 either it be chase, pitts or D.smith
Trade back and get yourself a WR and maybe a QB that you can sit behind Matt Ryan. Like a Fields, Lance, or Mond.
Though really should get some defensive players. My goodness did teams have their way with the Falcons defense.
This is a huge bluff by them. They know three QBs go in first three spots. If someone wants the last one, they need to get to 4.
They should trade out of this spot
But if they wanted someone to trade up with them, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to show interest in the QBs and not Pitts?
They will show interest in the QBs, Pitts, and Sewell all in an interest to get somebody to trade up. Maybe Chase as well but that wouldn’t be believable. Carolina is the most likely to move up for a QB but a trade in division like that seems unlikely. Ultimately I think they will stand at 4 and take Sewell.
I think it would be dumb for them to draft a qb at 4, none of them are sure things at that point and Matty ice is 35 so not like he’s ancient.
Pitts could play in sets with hurst there, add in Julio and CR and that is arguably the best skill group in the league. Make another run this roster is actually pretty good, I think they could make noise this year.
Took the words right from my keyboard. The GM wants to make one more run, in the short term.
Long term; Pitts is the heir apparent to Jones.
I could see a trade between Carolina at 8th with Falcons at 4th ? Carolina could get a QB and Atlanta would probably still get their man + other assets
That trade would make sense on paper. However reality is they’re same division, I doubt ATL would want to aid CAR in getting their qb of the future.
Unless the 4th QB is a bust in the eyes of the Falcons. Put the Panthers back another 3-4 years, plus get the guy that they want. Just sayin’
I hope so. I don’t want the Cowboys getting him at 10
Jessau from Modesto’s Top 5 Mock Draft (I will update as we get closer)
1. Penny Sewel- Center
2. Jmar Chase – WR
3. Chad Lawrence -QB
4. Devonta Smith- WR
5. Nudgy Harris -RB
5. Ian Book – Athlete
This is Bill punking other franchises. He would never do this, ever! You should never draft a WR/TE in round 1 and Bill already got burned for doing this (Harry at #32). And, I think Bill only drafted Harry bc he could not trade down etc (bc it goes against his draft history). Bill will NOT give up draft capital to draft a TE/WR in round 1.
**What he is doing is putting out false info so a certain QB will drop in draft** He has done this before. IF Bill trades up, its because he thinks he has a serious QB that he loves.
I’m heavily medicated tonight due to surgery. Falcons not Pats. Ignore.
Lucky you!
Ha ha. There are some advantages:)