With the fourth selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons found their tight end of the future in Kyle Pitts.
The former Florida Gator was an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses to handle due to his monstrous size, and devastating speed (4.44 40-yard dash). Equally a threat in the open field and in the red zone, he was quite literally unstoppable in several showings. Take his eight-catch, 170-yard, four-touchdown performance against Mississippi to kick off the 2020 season, for example. Or, you can look at his consecutive 7-catch, 120-yard performances to end the season on a strong back-to-back note. Take your pick.
In an NFL that relies heavily on unstoppable offensive weapons to carry the load, Pitts has a Hall of Fame ceiling and should produce right away.
Measurables: 6'6"/240
School: University of Florida
2020 stats: 8 games, 43 receptions, 770 yards, 17.9 yards per catch, 12 touchdowns
Accolades: 2020 Unanimous All-American; two-time All-SEC; 2020 John Mackey Award winner
Strengths:
- Speed that shouldn't come with his huge frame. Can use it to create mismatch nightmares with linebackers.
- Size and strength to break tackles, make contested catches and plow through defenders. Can also use this to create the aforementioned mismatch nightmares.
- A knack for finding soft spots in the red zone — or, if there are no soft spots, making it seem like a soft spot with his ability to burst through coverage.
- Has great hands and a great catch radius, though he’ll probably be able to create enough space using physical abilities and route-running skills and make it easier for himself anyway.
- Can hold his own as a blocker, and though it’s not the strongest asset of his game, it’s definitely something that reminds you he’s still a tight end and not a receiver.
Weaknesses:
- There’s only a small sample for him as a legitimate lead wide receiver or X-receiver for teams that are interested in using him in that role.
Expert scout analysis:
Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus:
- “...he may be the most talented playmaker in the entire draft… may be the best receiver in the draft, regardless of position.”
- “...biggest question becomes how dependent he is on a creative offensive mind to maximize his impact…”
- “...a player with a cheat code of a two-way go to either attack the outside vertically or break inside and run after the catch into space.”
Carl Dukes, 92.9 The Game
- “He’s a tough matchup for most linebackers and too big for most corners. He offers offensive coordinators the ability to line him all over the field.”
- “He would consistently win back corner fades, jump balls and red zone looks.”
Tape:
Player comparison: Darren Waller
Is Darren Waller, a former sixth-round pick, a little bit of an underwhelming comparison for a guy who has the potential to be the top non-QB prospect in the entire 2021 draft class? Maybe that’s the case, and someone like Calvin Johnson or Mike Evans would have been a little bit more riveting. But you should also remember the fact that the 6-foot-6, 255-pound Waller ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, was just named a Pro Bowler and was a second-team All-Pro selection, has posted two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and has, at times, been completely unstoppable. Ask any Jets fan, and they’ll tell you about the time he went for 200 yards and two scores. Or maybe you can check with the Chargers, Dolphins and Broncos fan bases, all of which saw him go for over 100 yards in the final three weeks of 2020. He’s a fast, strong and big mismatch who can line up all over the field and is redefining the tight end role, and Pitts should fill a similar mold.
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