The Atlanta Falcons selected tight end Kyle Pitts with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
While there was a lot of discussion about the quarterbacks in this draft, and three went before Pitts, there is plenty to be excited about with Pitts.
I’d be good with Kyle Pitts at 6. Not sure if he’d make it that far, but I like what I see in the highlights. #MiamiDolphins #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/MmcZwq91qa
— Ian “Big E” Berger (@ian693) April 2, 2021
Pitts has been described as a once in a generation player, he is likened to wide receiver Plaxico Burress and tight end Travis Kelce.
Regarding Pitts’ talent, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said,
“I love his athleticism, but I was even more impressed with his instincts and savvy as a route runner. He understands how to work and settle in space versus zone coverage and he also has a good feel for attacking the leverage of his defender. That bodes well for his adjustment to the NFL game.”
Pitts will certainly be in the huddle and on the field making plays from Week 1 onward for the Falcons.
Rookie head coach Arthur Smith has been a tight ends coach in the past for the Tennessee Titans, but he has never worked with a talent like Pitts before.
How well Pitts is utilized will not only be attributed to his talent, but it will also be related to how creative Smith is with a phenomenal player like Pitts.
Here are some of the ways Pitts saves the Falcons offense in 2021.
Versatility
Pitts has been described as a wide receiver in a tight end’s body.
He is 6’6″ tall and weighs 239 pounds, and he is fast.
The Falcons will line up Pitts in different positions as a tight end or a wide receiver to keep opponents guessing.
By the way, Pitts is also a former quarterback so depending how adventurous the Falcons want to be, he could line up in the wildcat or throw a pass like the Browns Jarvis Landry did last season to Odell Beckham Jr.
JARVIS LANDRY TO ODELL BECKHAM JR.❗️
📺: @foxsports pic.twitter.com/79gnFPgL99
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 4, 2020
His skill set is so complete, and he is described as a “freak” because of his size and athleticism.
The sky is the limit for the Falcons with Pitts on the field.
Julio Who?
It is unclear how the Falcons will handle the situation with their veteran wide receiver Julio Jones who wants out of Atlanta.
The 32 year old has been with the Falcons for 10 seasons and has almost 13,000 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns.
Reportedly the Falcons are shopping him around, but the asking price has been draft picks.
Breaking News:
The Atlanta #Falcons have discussed several trades including one being a first-round pick for their star wideout.
WR Julio Jones could ‘very likely’ be traded next week.#NFL | #NFLTalk
— NFL Talk (@NFL_Talk_Sports) May 27, 2021
It is likely that Pitts could make up for Jones’ productivity which has admittedly been declining in recent years.
Arthur Smith offense is predicate on creating space in the open field, Kyle Pitts is the perfect option based on linebackers/safeties trying to cover him down the field it would be a mismatch. During the off-season a lot inside chatter Julio was ready to move on from the ATL. https://t.co/OnDQuoUJlm
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) May 22, 2021
Matt Ryan’s Fountain Of Youth
Speaking of veteran players, Matt Ryan is 36 years old and about to enter his 13th NFL season.
Ryan is a consistent performer regardless of how his team is doing with wins and losses.
In the past couple of years, his passing yards have hovered around 4,500; however, he has thrown for nearly 5,000 yards in 2016 and 2018.
He threw 26 touchdown passes each season in 2019 and 2020.
Ryan has thrown as many as 38 touchdowns in 2016.
What better way to inject a fountain of youth into a veteran quarterback than to give him the next superstar of the NFL?
Matt Ryan and @kylepitts__ workin.#RiseUpATL #Falcons pic.twitter.com/SeUnA5qU7k
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) May 25, 2021
Pitts will certainly make watching Falcons games a lot more interesting beginning in fall 2021.
NEXT: 4 NFL Teams That Need To Trade For WR Julio Jones
