Merriam-Webster defines the phrase “enigma” as “one thing laborious to know or clarify.” The thesaurus would say that is the primary 4 seasons of Atlanta Falcons tight finish Kyle Pitts‘ NFL profession.
The No. 4 choose within the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida, Pitts registered only one landing in his rookie season but in addition logged 68 receptions for 1,026 receiving yards — which ranked third amongst tight ends. Pitts’ 2022 marketing campaign ended after 10 video games as a result of a torn MCL. Then, from 2023-24, Pitts averaged simply 50 receptions for 634.5 yards and three.5 touchdowns per season. Final season, Pitts ranked 33 out of 37 amongst tight ends with a 59.6 total grade, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus.
As a pass-catcher, Pitts will be explosive. At occasions, he has shined as a major catalyst in Atlanta’s passing sport, whereas different occasions he has been inconsistent and a tertiary issue. The blended outcomes are why the 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight finish is getting into the ultimate season of his rookie take care of an extension wanting unlikely. With Bijan Robinson already among the finest working backs within the league and vast receiver Drake London rising as a star power on the surface, Pitts’ worth to Atlanta is not what it as soon as was.
With that in thoughts, listed below are the three greatest commerce locations for Pitts, ought to the Falcons entertain presents for the 2021 top-five choose this summer season.
The Packers are coming off an 11-6 season. (Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Pictures)
A beginning tight finish is not a burning want for the Packers, particularly with Tucker Kraft rising as a power on the place. However including a brand new dimension to the offense, which Pitts would do, may very well be a compelling avenue for the Packers to try to get on the Detroit Lions‘ and Minnesota Vikings‘ stage within the NFC North.
Inexperienced Bay chosen Texas vast receiver Matthew Golden with the No. 23 choose within the 2025 NFL Draft and TCU vast receiver Savion Williams at choose No. 87, however one may argue that the group nonetheless does not have a real No. 1 receiver. Packers working again Josh Jacobs opined so earlier this offseason. Moreover, they have not had a participant at any place complete 1,000 receiving yards since Davante Adams in 2021.
Pitts would give the Packers a lethal possibility down the seam who can line up in a number of spots, giving them one other younger participant with upside. In a possible commerce, the Packers might ship certainly one of their younger vast receivers (e.g. Romeo Doubs or Dontayvion Wicks) and a late-round choose to the Falcons, ought to they select to chorus from dealing a future second-round choose. Such a transfer would additionally steadiness out Inexperienced Bay’s vast receiver room in relation to its tight finish room.
What might cease a commerce from happening, although, is Inexperienced Bay feeling that Pitts’ arrival could be a mere minor enhancement and never price transferring a commerce package deal of significance. Atlanta might also primarily worth draft compensation in a Pitts commerce.
The Jets signed Fields to a two-year deal after releasing Aaron Rodgers. (Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures)
The Jets are within the Aaron Glenn period — and doubtlessly the Justin Fields period, as nicely. And if New York desires the Fields period to be greater than one-and-done, buying one other proficient pass-catcher would pay dividends.
Together with transferring on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, the Jets launched star vast receiver Davante Adams and misplaced beginning tight finish Tyler Conklin in free company. In the meantime, vast receiver Malachi Corley (the No. 65 choose within the 2024 NFL Draft) had simply three receptions in his rookie season.
New York did choose LSU tight finish Mason Taylor within the second spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft and has fourth-year tight finish Jeremy Ruckert. However, as at present constructed, the Jets have one participant of their passing sport that scares defenses: vast receiver Garrett Wilson. Pitts would give Fields, who’s getting the possibility to start out on a everlasting foundation for the primary time since 2023, one other dynamic participant to lean on.
Moreover, Pitts would fill the void created by Conklin’s departure at tight finish, whereas taking some consideration off Wilson on the surface and never forcing offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand to depend on a rookie tight finish on Day 1. The Jets want offensive linchpins, and taking an opportunity on Pitts thriving of their system might flip right into a long-term partnership to either side’ profit.
All that mentioned, what might halt the Jets from taking a flier on Pitts is them doubtlessly having hesitation about giving up property to accumulate a vital offensive playmaker when the group is already taking a flier on its beginning quarterback.
The Jaguars traded as much as draft 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. (Picture by Logan Bowles/Getty Pictures)
The 2025 season is a giant one for the Jaguars. They’ve a brand new head coach in Liam Coen, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is coming off a disappointing season and one may argue that each group of their division, the AFC South, has extra purpose to be bullish in regards to the lengthy haul. What might assist the Jaguars, who made the 2022 AFC divisional spherical and commenced the 2023 season at 8-3, get again on observe? Getting Lawrence one other weapon at a place of uncertainty.
One might argue that tight finish Evan Engram — who registered 114 receptions in 2023 — was the Jaguars’ most constant supply of offense from 2022-23, earlier than an injury-plagued 2024 season that finally resulted in him being lower previous to free company. Tight finish Brenton Strange confirmed promise as a pass-catcher final season, totaling 40 receptions for 411 yards and two scores, however this was an offense that was twenty fifth within the NFL in complete yards (306.2 yards per sport) and twenty sixth in scoring (18.8 factors per sport) final season: If an improve or alternative so as to add impactful depth presents itself, why shut the door on the chance?
Plus, it stays to be seen how usually Travis Hunter, who performed each vast receiver and cornerback in school, will play each methods within the NFL. Pitts would instantly be a featured component of Coen’s offense and doubtlessly give the Jaguars a dynamic offensive assault round Lawrence with the previous Gators tight finish, Hunter, vast receiver Brian Thomas Jr. — a Professional Bowler in his 2024 rookie season — and the running-back duo of Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby.
The Jaguars gave up a plethora of precious picks, together with their 2025 second-rounder and 2026 first-rounder, to maneuver from No. 5 to No. 2 within the 2025 NFL Draft and take Hunter. That mentioned, additionally they acquired two 2026 third-rounders from the Lions in a Day 2 commerce and have a mixed 4 picks within the first three rounds of the 2026 draft: Jacksonville might purchase Pitts and nonetheless have a minimum of a pair of Day 2 picks subsequent yr.
Pitts replaces Engram as an athletic possibility at tight finish for the Jaguars, and he will be Lawrence’s go-to when he has to do away with the ball in a jiff.
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