The Atlanta Falcons made a bold move by drafting tight end Kyle Pitts with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the highest pick ever used on a tight end. In his rookie season, Pitts didn’t disappoint. He recorded 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a touchdown, securing a Pro Bowl spot and solidifying his position as a rising star.
However, injuries and inconsistency have since slowed Pitts down. New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is confident that Pitts will make a strong comeback in 2024.
Injuries Stunted Kyle Pitts’ Progress
Kyle Pitts’ explosive debut season was followed by a sophomore slump, where injuries limited him to just 10 games, logging 28 catches for 356 yards and two touchdowns. Although he remained healthier in 2023, his productivity still lagged compared to his first-year numbers, with 53 receptions for 667 yards and three scores.
Kirk Cousins’ Arrival Brings Renewed Optimism
The Atlanta Falcons addressed their quarterback situation by signing veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins in free agency, giving Kyle Pitts a more reliable partner in the passing game. Morris believes that a healthy Pitts, paired with Cousins’ experience and accuracy, could form a dynamic combination that helps elevate the Falcons’ offense.
Coach Morris – “A Healthy Kyle Pitts Is a Dynamic Player”
Morris is confident in Kyle Pitts’ ability to become one of the league’s premier tight ends again. “He’s very excited about being healthy, and so are we,” he said. “Getting a healthy Pitts gives you a really dynamic player that we believe in a lot. Hence, the picking up of his option and letting him be a part of our immediate and hopefully our long-term future.”
Kyle Pitts is UNDERVALUED for someone who could finish the season as THE Dynasty TE1
he joins George Kittle as the ONLY Tight Ends to average a 20%+ Target Share in their first three seasons
and goes from a 60.5% catchable target rate in the past two years to Kirk Cousins pic.twitter.com/koNOzZQJTA
— DynastyIM (@dynasty_im) May 10, 2024
Unlocking Kyle Pitts’ Potential
Morris recognizes the importance of unlocking Pitts’ full potential. “If we can get this guy going, we all know what he could be,” Morris emphasized. “That’s the job of the coach, to find out what a player can be and go get the best out of him. Hopefully, myself, along with my staff, and all of our coaches, we can go and get the best version of Kyle Pitts because that will be really good for all of us.”
Playoff Hopes Rest on Kyle Pitts’ Health and Performance
The Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs again this past season, extending their postseason drought to six years. If Pitts can stay healthy and build chemistry with Cousins, the Falcons could see significant improvements in their offense, potentially paving the way to a postseason berth.
