What Are We Doing with Kyle Pitts in Dynasty?

Kyle Pitts 2024 Dynasty Value

In a league chock full of untapped or unrealized potential, Kyle Pitts’ name leaps to the forefront of the minds of many a fantasy manager. The once heralded “next big thing” at a key fantasy position has been a mixed bag of dividends since. In 2022, the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive gameplan changed drastically. Now there are more changes on the horizon in The ATL, how will they affect his usage?

Making the Leap

Embed from Getty Images

The 6’6”, 245lb tight end brought some serious hype with him to the NFL. His final year as a Florida Gator (a Junior in 2020), Pitts was in the top 6 of nearly every statistical receiving category in the SEC. He capped that season off by winning the John Mackey award for the nation’s top tight end, and he was drafted with No. 4 overall pick by the Falcons.

As rookie years go, Pitts performed admirably in his first season as a pro. Although the touchdowns (one) did not come for the highest drafted tight end in NFL history, he put up 68 catches for 1,026 yards in Matt Ryan’s final season as a Falcon. At the very least, it was a successful introduction to the league.

Change in Scheme

In 2022, with Marcus Mariota (and Desmond Ridder) under center, the Atlanta Falcons pivoted to a more rush-heavy attack. Pitts was asked to do far more blocking than he had previously, which he took in stride, welcoming the opportunity to shed the “only a receiver” label placed on him.

Embed from Getty Images

While his blocking improved, it severely limited his opportunities to get into the open field and make plays in the conservative scheme. The numbers took a nosedive over a 10-game season for Pitts, which was cut short by an MCL injury that required surgery. 28 catches for 356 yards was a disappointing result for fantasy managers who drafted Pitts and were expecting another step forward in Year Two.

The Last Straw

Last season saw Pitts usage continue to suffer to a TE13 finish in fantasy. Of most concern was the inability to explain it away as the uptick in blocking. His percentage of snaps spent in that role dropped drastically, and head coach Arthur Smith seemed enamored instead with veteran Jonnu Smith’s work in the run game. Consequently, Smith caught 50 balls (three touchdowns) from a more prototypical tight end usage.

Embed from Getty Images

Where Pitts seemingly never rocks the boat for being mishandled, he has plenty of fantasy players happy to do it for him. With apologies to the late Al Capone, Smith rapidly became Public enemy No. 1 in the fantasy community thanks to his utter mishandling of talent on the Falcons roster. After another 7-10 performance, he was FedExed out of town after the season.

Primed to Bounce Back?

Embed from Getty Images

Pitts is far too talented to repeat 2023’s 53-catch, 667-yard performance. The promise is still there for a player than just obliterated his fellow tight ends in air yards, topping T.J. Hockenson by nearly 100 while posting 38(!) less receptions. That also equated to over six air yards more per reception than San Francisco’s George Kittle, the next closest for qualifying tight ends. That alone makes up for the fact that Pitts fell below the average yards after catch (YAC) from the position.

RELATED: RAY DAVIS 2024 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT

The most telling piece of the puzzle is Pitts’ efficiency. He had just four drops in 2023. To add quarterback play to the equation (as if we have to), Pitts caught 53 of 90 targets; a staggering 37 percent of the throws his way were deemed uncatchable. That should be remedied this offseason. Atlanta will either sign a veteran quarterback, draft a top rookie at the position, or both. There are numerous directions for the team to take at signal-caller, the most beneficial being a proven commodity like Russell Wilson until a promising rookie can pry the job away.

What Are We Doing with Kyle Pitts in Dynasty?

The temptation is to revert Pitts back to being simply a tight end/wide receiver hybrid and hoping to return him to explosive numbers, but with a strong running game and defensive minded head coach in Raheem Morris, that’s unlikely to happen. That’s not a terrible thing, New OC Zac Robinson values playmakers and finds a way to utilize them. Utilizing Pitts as a pure tight end and specifically designing shorter plays to him that can raise his team target share from about 17 percent to closer to 20 would do wonders. His YAC increases this way, as well. It is not outlandish to expect Pitts to match his career touchdown total of six with six more in 2024 and a return to 1,000 yards.

VERDICT: Kyle Pitts is a hold in dynasty leagues for most teams. Managers that are deep at the position and consider him expendable can rightfully demand round one capital in a trade. Owners weak at tight end could do a lot worse than taking a chance on Pitts setting career highs in a more favorable offensive situation this year.

His trade value is likely sitting at the top of round two currently. However, teams in a buying mood with multiple firsts could spend a late one on Pitts rather than rolling the dice on a Quentin Johnston-like receiver. A 2025 first might get the job done, or a middling pair of seconds (’24 and ’25) could be enough, as well. At the end of the day, he’s a good buy while owners are falling in love with rookies this offseason.

Let’s Hear it from Other Analysts!

“If you’ve held on to Kyle Pitts through his 3-season 6TD stint, then you have to see this thing through now that the alleged “curse” of Arthur Smith has been lifted. While fantasy managers might be willing to trade for Pitts with the HC changes, the stigma surrounding his rookie year ADP and lackluster production thus far is likely too much of a deterrent to garner a “fair trade”. I’m holding and hoping that talent can prevail in 2024.” – Cooterdoodle, Staff Writer at FantasyLife

RANKINGS  | DYNASTY

Fantasy Football Season Is Never Over At Underdog. Sign up and draft now! Use Promo-Code: YARDSPER for a $100 deposit match!