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Now heading into his fourth year, Kyle Pitts looks to return to Pro Bowl form. What will it take for him to get there? Kyle Pitts made history in 2021, becoming the highest drafted tight-end ever in the NFL. Drafting being viewed as a generational talent, the Atlanta Falcons were confident that Pitts would make an impact as soon as he stepped on the field.
He lived up to the hype in his rookie year, putting him in elite company with Mike Ditka as the only two rookie tight-ends to surpass 1,000 yards. His unique combination of size, route-running, speed, and agility made him a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers and defensive backs to guard.
Though his production didn’t translate to a winning record, Pitts’ efforts were worthy of a Pro Bowl selection, becoming the first rookie tight-end to make the Pro Bowl since Jeremy Shockey in 2002.
Why has Pitts struggled after his rookie year?
Since that outstanding rookie campaign, Pitts’ production has taken a massive hit, with several circumstances contributing to his decline. With the departure of Matt Ryan after 2021, the Falcon’s quarterback situation was in shambles to say the least. Commbining this with the offensive play-calling of Arthur Smith, who seemingly schemed Jonnu Smith into the tight-end #1 role for majority of 2023, has forced Kyle Pitts into a backseat.
While most of the blame can be put on Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder’s questionable on-field decision making, and Arthur Smith’s clear neglect to incorporate his stars, Pitts himself seemed at times a step slow these past two seasons, especially after his week 11 MCL injury in 2022. Pitts averaged 60.4 yards per game as a rookie, and nearly cut this average in half in his sophomore season, as before his injury, he was averaging just 35.6 yards per game. He saw increased production in 2023, slightly improving his yards per game up to 39.2, but still not comparable to the rookie phenom that took the league by storm.
His lingering knee injury could have contributed to a lack of confidence last year to bully his way through traffic when running those over routes behind linebackers, a place he shined as a rookie. Essentially, worsening circumstances and injury have worked against Pitts ever since that big 2021 season.
What is the key to getting Pitts back on track?
By picking up Pitts’ fifth year option, the Falcons solidified his place in Atlanta through the 2025 season. With that being said, this year can be viewed as make or break for the fourth year tight end.
Pitts is still widely viewed as a premier talent in the league for a reason. His unique skillset and build allows him to lineup at wideout, slot, and in tight, creating a level of versatility most offenses would kill to work with. With Arthur Smith’s emphasis on creating a favorable-to-running-backs scheme, especially with the below average quarterback play these past two seasons, we didn’t see Pitts considered a focal point of the offense. Even if he was moving around, it often seemed like he was more of a decoy than an actual threat to get the ball.
Lining Pitts up in every spot possible can not only put him in position to be productive, but also can confuse a defense and cause those coverage mismatches that we saw him take advantage of in 2021. He just needs to get the ball consistently and from a capable quarterback.
What should we expect from Pitts in 2024?
Now over a year removed from his 2022 knee injury, Pitts should be fresh and ready to come out strong. With an overhauled coaching staff now running the show, one of the main priorities for the season ahead seems to be making Pitts a focal point.
Head coach Raheem Morris said to Atlanta Falcons beat reporter Terrin Waack that “getting a healthy Kyle Pitts back gives you a really dynamic player that we believe in a lot,” also following it up saying “If we can get this guy going, we all know what he could be.” Pitts’ involvement in the offense hinges on the offensive schemes of first year coordinator Zac Robinson, Kirk Cousins’ capacity to execute those schemes, and Pitts’ own ability to be reliable and produce. Combining Cousin’s willingness to use his tight-end as a safety valve, targeting T.J. Hockenson 59 times through the first 7 weeks in 2023, and Robinson’s pass system that saw Tyler Higbee finish third in receptions for the Rams last season, could create a recipe for success that sees Kyle Pitts return to Pro Bowl form.
Depending on how large of a role the newly acquired Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore will have in the passing game, Drake London and Pitts should see majority of the offensive targets for 2024. And while kinks always have to be ironed out with new personnel and coaches, I think Pitts will find his groove again early, and with his unique skillset, I think he’ll see his secd 1,000 yard season in 2024.
Hopefully this time, that kind of production translates to a playoff berth.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JtVoSD38BQovJRWg9CLEgonAoLc=/375x0:4425x2700/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73384737/kyle_pitts.0.png">
Now heading into his fourth year, Kyle Pitts looks to return to Pro Bowl form. What will it take for him to get there? Kyle Pitts made history in 2021, becoming the highest drafted tight-end ever in the NFL. Drafting being viewed as a generational talent, the Atlanta Falcons were confident that Pitts would make an impact as soon as he stepped on the field.
He lived up to the hype in his rookie year, putting him in elite company with Mike Ditka as the only two rookie tight-ends to surpass 1,000 yards. His unique combination of size, route-running, speed, and agility made him a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers and defensive backs to guard.
Though his production didn’t translate to a winning record, Pitts’ efforts were worthy of a Pro Bowl selection, becoming the first rookie tight-end to make the Pro Bowl since Jeremy Shockey in 2002.
Why has Pitts struggled after his rookie year?
Since that outstanding rookie campaign, Pitts’ production has taken a massive hit, with several circumstances contributing to his decline. With the departure of Matt Ryan after 2021, the Falcon’s quarterback situation was in shambles to say the least. Commbining this with the offensive play-calling of Arthur Smith, who seemingly schemed Jonnu Smith into the tight-end #1 role for majority of 2023, has forced Kyle Pitts into a backseat.
While most of the blame can be put on Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder’s questionable on-field decision making, and Arthur Smith’s clear neglect to incorporate his stars, Pitts himself seemed at times a step slow these past two seasons, especially after his week 11 MCL injury in 2022. Pitts averaged 60.4 yards per game as a rookie, and nearly cut this average in half in his sophomore season, as before his injury, he was averaging just 35.6 yards per game. He saw increased production in 2023, slightly improving his yards per game up to 39.2, but still not comparable to the rookie phenom that took the league by storm.
His lingering knee injury could have contributed to a lack of confidence last year to bully his way through traffic when running those over routes behind linebackers, a place he shined as a rookie. Essentially, worsening circumstances and injury have worked against Pitts ever since that big 2021 season.
What is the key to getting Pitts back on track?
By picking up Pitts’ fifth year option, the Falcons solidified his place in Atlanta through the 2025 season. With that being said, this year can be viewed as make or break for the fourth year tight end.
Pitts is still widely viewed as a premier talent in the league for a reason. His unique skillset and build allows him to lineup at wideout, slot, and in tight, creating a level of versatility most offenses would kill to work with. With Arthur Smith’s emphasis on creating a favorable-to-running-backs scheme, especially with the below average quarterback play these past two seasons, we didn’t see Pitts considered a focal point of the offense. Even if he was moving around, it often seemed like he was more of a decoy than an actual threat to get the ball.
Lining Pitts up in every spot possible can not only put him in position to be productive, but also can confuse a defense and cause those coverage mismatches that we saw him take advantage of in 2021. He just needs to get the ball consistently and from a capable quarterback.
What should we expect from Pitts in 2024?
Now over a year removed from his 2022 knee injury, Pitts should be fresh and ready to come out strong. With an overhauled coaching staff now running the show, one of the main priorities for the season ahead seems to be making Pitts a focal point.
Head coach Raheem Morris said to Atlanta Falcons beat reporter Terrin Waack that “getting a healthy Kyle Pitts back gives you a really dynamic player that we believe in a lot,” also following it up saying “If we can get this guy going, we all know what he could be.” Pitts’ involvement in the offense hinges on the offensive schemes of first year coordinator Zac Robinson, Kirk Cousins’ capacity to execute those schemes, and Pitts’ own ability to be reliable and produce. Combining Cousin’s willingness to use his tight-end as a safety valve, targeting T.J. Hockenson 59 times through the first 7 weeks in 2023, and Robinson’s pass system that saw Tyler Higbee finish third in receptions for the Rams last season, could create a recipe for success that sees Kyle Pitts return to Pro Bowl form.
Depending on how large of a role the newly acquired Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore will have in the passing game, Drake London and Pitts should see majority of the offensive targets for 2024. And while kinks always have to be ironed out with new personnel and coaches, I think Pitts will find his groove again early, and with his unique skillset, I think he’ll see his secd 1,000 yard season in 2024.
Hopefully this time, that kind of production translates to a playoff berth.
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