The Falcons have reassembled their skill-position corps from the Matt Ryan era. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus are gone, having departed during the Terry Fontenot–Arthur Smith partnership. But Kyle Pitts represents a link to that period. And the Ryan exit has provided a line of demarcation for the former top prospect’s career.
With Ryan at the controls in 2021, Pitts approached Mike Ditka‘s rookie tight end receiving record by totaling 1,026 yards in 17 games. Only Jeremy Shockey (2002) has come within 300 yards of Pitts’ total as a rookie. In the 14 games since, Pitts has accumulated 477 yards on just 39 receptions. The move from Ryan to Marcus Mariota affected Atlanta’s passing attack, and Desmond Ridder now ranks 31st in QBR. But Pitts is also attempting to close the book on a significant injury rehab process.
A grade 2 MCL tear in Week 11 of last season shut down Pitts midway through a disappointing campaign, and while the former No. 4 overall pick was on the field to start this season, Smith confirmed his top tight end is not yet fully recovered.
“Look at him, obviously he’s out there. Again, there are no perfect timetables,” Smith said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter. “But there are certain things, you see him and he’s doing really well right now and there are certain things that he can’t [do well]. It’s been a journey back. He’s going to get there.”
Pitts has cleared 45 receiving yards in a game just twice since the start of last season, but in addition to his pass-game inconsistency, his blocking ability has impacted his usage, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Never exactly drafted to impact the game as a run blocker, Pitts does grade poorly in that department for a run-oriented team. Pro Football Focus ranks Pitts as the league’s fourth-worst run-blocking tight end this season.
Although Smith had not yet implemented his full offensive plan in 2021, that setup certainly benefited Pitts compared to the post-Ryan plan. The team brought in Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson in the two ensuing offseasons, leading to the increased run commitment. The Falcons’ 559 rushing attempts led the NFL last season. They are only 13th in rush attempts this year, however. But Pitts has failed to clear the 65% offensive snap barrier in two of Atlanta’s four games. Trade acquisition Jonnu Smith also posted a six-catch, 95-yard effort against the Jaguars. Pitts has not hit six receptions or 95 yards in a game since his rookie year.
This profiles as a pivotal Pitts season. The Falcons must decide on the Florida alum’s fifth-year option in May 2024. While this regime has plenty invested in Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end since the AFL-NFL merger, the soon-to-be 23-year-old pass catcher has skidded off track early. The talented receiver’s performance going forward this season will be rather important for his earning potential.
It’s criminal how they’re wasting this kid
“They’re” must be in reference to injuries, right?
“injuries” must be in reference to targets, right?
Part of it has been due to injuries, but there’s also a large part of Pitts lack of success that lands squarely on the shoulders of the Falcons front office and Arthur Smith.
They’ve failed Drake London and Kyle Pitts by not securing a decent enough QB that can get them the ball with any level of consistency. Still though, any QB that is in the NFL should be able to deliver short passes, and both of their lack of production is also primarily due to Smith’s lack of an innovative passing game.
It was the exact same reason the Titans offense was never able to take the next step forward. In doing so, they ended up just wasting the most dominant back in the NFL’s best years.
It isn’t all that difficult to see why Calvin Ridley wanted out, he already knew what he was in store for with Arthur Smith.
Arthur Smith is one of the best offensive minds when it comes to running the ball, and if he would ever be willing to pair himself with an innovative offensive coordinator that specialized in the passing game, then he’d get alot more out of his offense and especially his playmakers.
Sometimes a coaches best strength is knowing his biggest weakness.
I hope the Falcons deny Pitts option, and the 49ers are able to snatch him up on a cheap deal. Kyle would have a field day using Pitts as a big slot type of weapon.
He could also use him and Kittle in 22 personnel. It would be absolutely lethal with CMC in the backfield and Deebo and Aiyuk either split out on the boundaries or stacked on one side of the field. That would be easy money all day for Shannahan!!
Not entirely sure why my comment is waiting moderation. I didn’t say anything wrong…
Everything was wrong!
Spot on bro pits can play he’ll get healthy & hopefully he finds a team that can use him to his ability niners would be nice #GoPhins
Pound sand!
You just come typing a bunch of lies, your wack ass 49ers will never se the likes of Pitts!
No question he’s been a major disappointment. Hard to simply blame injuries, when he sucked for the 10 weeks before being injured. They should really trade him. Can’t have a TE who’s totally unable/unwilling to block on a run heavy team, which they will be until they find a competent QB. He’s simply a WR playing the TE position.
What’s to stop the Falcons from deploying Pitts as an oversized wide receiver and putting some blocking tight ends at the end of their line?
Competence
You don’t go buy a Ford GT to enter it into a mudbogging race, or purchase a Jeep Gladiator for a track race.
If you’re going to acquire something or someone that’s specifically built to do one thing really well, that is what they should be used for!!
Even with the QB issues aside, Arthur Smith hasn’t put Pitts in the best position to succeed whatsoever. The best coaches never focus on what a player’s weaknesses are, they focus on their strengths and use those strengths to their advantage.
There are two types of great coaches. The first ones have their system, stick to it, and they find the perfect fits for their schemes, meaning the player’s they target they make sure their job assignments and their roles in the system matches their overall skillset.
You’re never going to get the best out of your player’s when you try to fit a square peg into a round hole…
The second type of the greatest coaches have versatile schemes that does its best to match their personnel.
Kyle Pitts tore his MCL genius, not even a year ago
Here’s some tinfoil hat stuff for ya:
He’s coached his son in high school and two colleges
His son should declare for the 2024 Draft
His 1st NFL team needs a QB
Who am I?
(yes, I’m just messing around, don’t get upset)