Is this finally the year that Kyle Pitts emerges?
2024 Is The Year To Draft Kyle Pitts In Fantasy Football
Are you drafting Kyle Pitts in 2024? Are you out? Join us on Discord and let’s discuss!
Life is the Pitts
Kyle Pitts first NFL season was promising despite not seeing the end zone much. Pitts finished his impressive rookie season with 68 receptions for 1026 yards, earning Pro Bowl honors. Before Sam Laporta exploded onto the scene last season, Pitts had held the title of the first rookie to accomplish that feat in almost 20 years. Pitts following seasons, however, have been underwhelming, considering how highly he was touted as a generational tight end prospect coming out of Florida. Pitts is a physically imposing athlete with size at 6’6 and has elite top end speed for a tight end. Unfortunately, this has yet to translate to the level of on-field success that fans had expected when he was first drafted out of Florida.
In all fairness to Pitts, he’s been through an unfortunate knee injury that sidelined him in 2022, experienced inadequate quarterback play, and has dealt with improper usage from the previous coaching regime who never seemed to have an interest in making Pitts a focal point on offense. Pitts was grossly underutilized last season, however he still managed 53 receptions for 667 yards and 3 touchdowns, ranking him 13th in overall production among tight ends in fantasy last season.
While the numbers aren’t exactly eye popping for the highest drafted tight end in NFL history, there’s certainly reason for optimism for rostering Pitts as he enters a pivotal fourth season. Pitts knows the bar is high and has reportedly watched tape on old-school tight ends to develop his game. Most importantly, by no means does Kyle Pitts act like he has arrived- he has an innate desire to learn. Pitts expanded on his what he’s focused on learning this offseason in a writeup by ESPN staff writer Marc Raimondi,” Just different tight tight ends and different philosophies and just different things to take into each day to help me be my best and do as much as I can to contribute to the offense.”
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Related: What Are We Doing with Kyle Pitts in Dynasty?
The Stage is Set
Out with the old, in with the new. Arthur Smith and his putrid offense, notorious only for the egregrious misuse of his best skill players- is now gone. The Falcons tabbed former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their new head coach. In a corresponding move, they brought over former Rams quarterbacks and passing game coordinator Zac Robinson, who worked with Raheem Morris for 3 seasons. Former quarterback Desmond Ridder, who underwhelmed as the teams starter last season, was dealt to the Cardinals in a trade for Rondale Moore. To address the need at quarterback, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, who is a tremendous upgrade for the Falcons and is well versed on getting the ball to his playmakers. Most importantly, This will be the first year in Pitt’s career that he has had a capable QB at the helm.
2024 Outlook
Historically, based on what he’s capable of, Pitts has been a consistent letdown in Fantasy. It’s paramount that this season however, fantasy managers evaluate Pitts with a fresh set of eyes and look at the big picture. Consider this season a new beginning for the former Florida Gator, whom as I stated before, will be the byproduct of a new system in Atlanta that will put Pitts (and the other Falcons skill players) into a great position to thrive in productive roles.
The good news is that this year’s tight end class is significantly deeper than last seasons. Kyle Pitts ADP sits at number 64 overall, per Fantasypros, showing that he will likely be available in middle rounds, meaning fantasy managers shouldn’t have to reach for his services. The Falcons picked up Pitts’ option this past offseason, showing confidence in their uber talented tight-end. Fantasy managers should read the tea leaves and roster him with excitement and optimism in 2024.
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