FREE KYLE PITTS: A Message to Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons

I have a bone to pick with Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons. 

As a Florida Gators fan, Kyle Pitts is one of my favorite players in the league. The 2020 team led by Pitts, Kyle Trask, and Kadarious Toney (no longer a fan for obvious reasons) was my favorite team to watch since the historic Gators run from 2006-2009. It seemed like each time Pitts played he was unstoppable. Despite only playing in 8 games, Pitts was a consensus All-American and won the John Mackey Award for being the best tight end in the country. He posted a stat line of 43 receptions, 770 yards (17.9 YPC), and 12 TDs. Ridiculously good. If he had stayed healthy, it would have been the best season from a tight end in college football history. Still might be. 

Pitts stands 6’5, 245 pounds and ran a 4.44 at his pro day. A pure specimen. No wonder Atlanta used the 4th overall pick on him, which is the highest a tight end has been drafted in NFL history. 

I am a firm believer in taking premium positions early in the draft (quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, EDGE, cornerback). It is much easier to find starting-caliber players at running back, tight end, interior offensive and defensive line, linebacker, and safety in the later rounds of the draft. However, if you have a player that is a true unicorn at a non-premium position, meaning he has such a unique skillset, it is warranted to select that player higher than conventional draft strategy would indicate. Kyle Pitts is exhibit A. 

What I don’t understand is if you are going to take a player 4th overall, specifically with his talent, how do you not get him more involved in the offense? Keep in mind, they took Drake London 8th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and have failed to get him involved in the offense as well. Why take perimeter weapons with premium draft capital if you simply don’t want to throw the ball? Atlanta was the 2nd most run-heavy team in the league last year and remains one of the most run-heavy this year. Interesting draft strategy.

Pitts was a pro-bowler as a rookie after having 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a singular touchdown (why they didn’t scheme up more red zone targets for a guy with his size and speed is ridiculous in its own right). He took a step back in 2022, recording 28 catches for 356 yards and two TDs in 10 games. 

Quarterback play is certainly a factor for the decline in production. Matt Ryan was the starter for Atlanta in 2021 and he posted a 67% completion rate with 3,969 yards, 20 TDs, and 12 INTs. A pretty average season in totality, but at least he was able to get his best weapon the ball. Marcus Mariota was the starter for most of 2022, and in 13 starts he logged a 61.3% completion rate (yuck) with 2,219 yards, 15 TDs, and 9 INTs. Most people, including myself, blamed Pitts’ struggles last year to anemic quarterback play. There were several occasions last season where Pitts was open downfield and Mariota just blatantly missed him. 

But so far in 2023, Pitts has almost been a non-factor, being targeted only 17 times for nine receptions and 100 yards. You would think a young quarterback like Desmond Ridder would look for a guy like Pitts, who has a ridiculous wing-frame, as his safety blanket at the least. Well, maybe he would be if Arthur Smith was putting Pitts in a position to be that guy.  

Amongst all tight ends through three weeks, Pitts ranks 8th in target share, 1st in air yards share, 1st in route rate, and 19th in PPR fantasy points according to Kyletweetshere on X. These are fancy stats to basically say that Arthur Smith is scheming up Pitts on a TON of deep routes when they actually decide to pass the ball, and it isn’t working. Nothing underneath in space to allow him to create yards after the catch, something that he was phenomenal at in Gainesville. This is a pretty bold strategy considering you have a young quarterback who has not shown he can make the big-time throws downfield. I’m not saying Pitts shouldn’t be used downfield, because he certainly can be one of the elite downfield threats in the league if utilized correctly, but wouldn’t it make sense to create easier throws for your young quarterback by getting the ball in your playmakers’ hands quickly? 

People started to suggest this week that the Cowboys should look into trading for Pitts (I would hate this with all my heart). This caused Jane Slater to reach out to a source familiar with the situation asking if Pitts is available, and they responded, “LOL. No way.” Glad someone thinks this is funny.

I wouldn’t let a unicorn like Pitts leave the organization either. But I also wouldn’t waste away the prime of his career by having him be a decoy while running the ball 50 times a game. 

Either get my guy the ball more… or FREE KYLE PITTS!