Let me paint you a picture, the year is 2021, and the 6’6″ athletic freak of a tight end out of the University of Florida has finished his season with 1,026 receiving yards to cap off his rookie campaign. The future seems bright for the highest-drafted tight end of all time.
Fast forward and the year is now 2024, Kyle Pitts hasn’t so much as eclipsed the 700-yard mark in a season, much less come close to the 1,000-yard rookie season he had a couple of years prior. The main reason for his lack of productivity is he hasn’t played with a starting-caliber quarterback since Matt Ryan left after the 2021 season.
The Falcons had no succession plan for Ryan as they tried to plug the empty starting QB role with lackluster options at best. Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heineke couldn’t seem to get on the same page as Kyle Pitts and the inept playcalling from Arthur Smith didn’t help. Finally, three years after his breakout rookie season, Kyle Pitts has a competent starting quarterback throwing the ball and seems poised for another big year.
Eliminating the Competition
Everyone seems to have a different opinion on Kyle Pitts this season. The only thing that seems consistent about his rankings is he is outside the top five but most places have him ranked in the 6-10 range which makes him a starting Tight End in every league. Most reservations about Kyle Pitts come from his lack of production since his rookie season, and even then he only had one touchdown. My counterpoint to them would be that pretty much every other tight end either comes with question marks or an injury history.
Sam Laporta the consensus number-one tight end this season is coming off of a breakout season last year. Even if you trust the Lions to repeat the explosive offense from a season ago, Laporta is also dealing with a hamstring injury. If his injury lingers it could potentially affect his production early on, and depending on how high you would have to draft him, could handicap your team.
Travis Kelce is getting older and even though he hasn’t fallen off yet, it could come any year and you’re going to be paying a higher draft capital on name value alone for Kelce. Mark Andrews missed some of last season with an injury, and George Kittle is inconsistent week to week.
Trey McBride had a good season last year but didn’t get much playing time with this year’s starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who also has a new wide receiver who was taken high in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. The only other tight end consistently ranked above Kyle Pitts is Dalton Kincaid and you could make a good case for him as well, as Buffalo lost a lot of playmakers this offseason.
Falcons’ Lack of Receivers
Not only did the Atlanta Falcons get a huge upgrade at quarterback by signing NFL veteran Kirk Cousins this offseason, but they also have a dearth of pass catchers for Cousins to target. Kyle Pitts joins fellow first-rounder Drake London as the premier pass-catching option in the Atlanta offense, but the Falcons have little depth behind them in Darell Mooney, Ray-Ray Mcloud III, and Khadarel Hodge.
While it is yet to be seen what kind of offense first-time offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will call and how tight-end friendly it is, Kyle Pitts is built more like a wide receiver and is far more athletic than most others at the position. Robinson, coming from the Mcvay coaching tree and with a lack of weapons at pass catcher, should have no issue finding creative ways to get Pitts the ball.
There’s been a lot of buzz around Falcons camp this summer about the possible Cousins-Pitts connection. While impossible to say exactly how this offensive season will unfold for the Falcons, this is the best situation Pitts has been in since his rookie season.
While it’s usually hard for a team to find success with a new head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator, and a new quarterback, tight end is such an uncertain position in fantasy that with a little luck Kyle Pitts could very easily have a path to finish at the top of the mountain when the season is said and done.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
