Kyle Pitts began his high school career as a quarterback. At his Pro Day last week, he measured in with the wingspan of an offensive lineman and ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash like a wide receiver. Needless to say, the 6’6″ tight end is going to hear his name called early in the 2021 NFL Draft. 
[RELATED: Falcons Eyeing Pitts At No. 4?]
Pitts put himself on the NFL radar with 54 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. Then, last year, he took his game to a whole ‘nother level. In 13 games, he reeled in 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. That was good for a 17.9 yards per catch average — a major leap from his previous 12.0 ypc. Pitts even placed as a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff award, which goes to the top wide receiver in football.
The Florida product profiles as a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Pitts is too fast for most linebackers and he’ll likely outstretch most cornerbacks on deep routes. His aforementioned 40-yard-dash time will only boost his stock further — most evaluators expected him to land somewhere in the high 4.5 range, which still would have been impressive for a player of his size.
On the flipside, there are questions about Pitts’ blocking ability, but he could improve in both of those areas over time. At 245 pounds, there’s ample room for Pitts to bulk up, and his 83-inch wingspan provides a solid base for pass and lead blocking.
In terms of pure talent, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Pitts as the second-best prospect in this year’s class, behind only Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. LSU’s JaMarr Chase — who captured the Biletikoff trophy as a sophomore in 2019 — sits behind him at No. 3. So, where will Pitts land? The Florida product says that the Falcons have been showing interest in him and they’d be well within range with the No. 4 overall choice.
“They were saying that they have interest in me,” Pitts said. “After today, we’ll get on another Zoom and they’ll try to learn more about myself. I feel like they are pretty interested.”
It’s been decades since a TE went in the top five. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Vernon Davis came close, but they were taken No. 6 overall in 2004 and 2006, respectively. A few weeks ago, the Falcons were expected to target a quarterback. Now, in the wake of the 49ers’ move up to No. 3, they may have to go in another direction. Pitts could very well be the pick, forming an impressive 1-2 TE combo with Hayden Hurst.
Atlanta really needs to trade back and stockpile picks while letting Matt & J Jones contracts being more manageable next year.
Could also leapfrog the 49ers and swap with the Jets.
Jets are taking Wilson so it’s unlikely they will get a chance. Trade down more likely IF they don’t want a QB. Denver New England Washington all possible trade partners.
Matt Ryan is going nowhere next year. They restructured to the tune of 40 mil dead money next year if he is released or traded.
Forgot about that. Guess it’ll be a few more years of losing then.
Why could you not spell out the word, “another”? Someone please explain that to me.
Odd he found it easier writing “a whole ‘nother” instead of “another”…
I think Pitts is going to be a superstar. I see him as the next Gronk or Tony Gonzalez level tight end. Really sad the Eagles won’t be able to draft him.
just curious, what is your anger/displeasure on a 1-10 scale with them trading down? I know many are annoyed and feel like we’re giving up on a definite superstar for someone who definitely wolnt be a superstar, which is crazy.
There’s no such thing as a definite superstar. Plenty of top 10 busts to go along with HoF’ers throughout the 1st round. Going back to 2018 draft you can see that. Mayfield is ok, Barkely is good, but needs to stay healthy. Darnold will be a back up & Rosen is pretty much out of the league.
In the back of that draft, T Edmunds, Calvin Ridley, Ragnow, & L Jackson all seem to be settling into nice careers.
well that’s what i think. Chase and Pitts are great players but I dont need to keep hearing how there are a half dozen generational talents every year.
Pitts actually is generational though. Dude stacks up favorably on draft day against *literally* any other TE of the modern era.
Agreed re: Chase/WRs. Every year there’s someone hyped – sometimes it’s warranted (Julio) and other times it’s Michael Crabtree.
I think Pitts is going to dominate as well.
Ruben Frank articulated my thoughts perfectly. The Eagles have enough high picks for the rebuild now which is good. I just don’t trust Roseman drafting. It’s a lot harder to screw up drafting Pitts or Chase at 6 than trusting Howie does right at 12.
not sure why this write up omits the fact he ONLY played 8 games due the fact the season was shorten and he had several injury complications that stemed from an illegal hit taken against in the Georgia game on Nov. 7. that gave him a concussion and forced him to sit out a few games
I honestly would just play him at receiver. He’s got better speed, hands, and athleticism than, say, Devin Funchess and the size of him and Kelvin Benjamin. They each had a limited run of success as huge receivers in Carolina, and Funchess, like Pitts, was a receiving tight end at Michigan. Pitts is more fluid than either of those two. Pitts also is an awful blocker, so moving him to WR could eliminate that concern.
If you’re trading to 4 its probably for Sewell to jump the Bengals or you’re infatuated with the 4th best QB prospect. Idk if anyone is trading up for Pitts or Chase. Potential HOF LT, I can see someone moving up a few slots.
If Atlanta isn’t considering a QB – they’d be foolish not to trade down (IMO of course). Carolina or Denver would be knocking down their door trying to get that 4th QB – and Atlanta would come out of it with another #1 next year and much more.
No one else mentioned it, but two words: Ricky Dudley. He had some crazy measurables but not much of a career to show for it. Overall 1st round TE’s don’t pay off very often. For every Tony Gonzalez there are two David Njoku’s.
How about Bubba Franks…even worse than Rickey Dudley, although Dudley was picked 9th overall and Franks 14th overall