Are the Falcons Willing to Part Ways With Kyle Pitts?
The Kansas City Chiefs have a number of openings to fill and the 32nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but it’s uncertain which way they’ll go in the first round.
The Chiefs’ primary priority should be to find quarterback Patrick Mahomes a dependable receiving weapon if they want to win the Super Bowl for the third time in a row. But Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a history of trading away first-round picks to get dependable veterans, as Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports noted.
Lead NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was surprised to learn that the Chiefs were interested in dealing for tight end Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons during the pre-combine conference call. After registering 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a touchdown in his rookie season, Pitts—the fourth overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft—was named to the Pro Bowl.
SI’s Anthony Licciardi stated, “He’s an out-of-position receiver to others, and a freak to some.” But since Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan left, Pitts has struggled. In the event if Pitts was receiving passes from Mahomes, the NFL’s highest-drafted tight end could be successful once more.
Jeremiah remarked, “Gosh, if that’s true, I haven’t read that article,” regarding a possible Pitts trade. In October, Goldman suggested that Kansas City might trade for Pitts.
“I’d be willing to go get Kyle Pitts if that were possible. Oh my goodness, that would be unfair if that were to occur, Jeremiah remarked. “This Kyle Pitts thing has my mind spinning,” said the speaker. Is there anything like that? I haven’t read that. As someone who broadcasts Chargers games, I can assure you that many would not be pleased with that move. Holy sh*t.
Chiefs Kingdom is largely in agreement. “This would be a dream come true,” a fan wrote on Facebook.
It’s unclear right now whether Atlanta would be open to trading Pitts. The Falcons, though, are in the middle of a significant reconstruction. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Falcons are predicted to select a quarterback with their eighth overall pick.
“It’s hard to imagine that Atlanta wouldn’t at least listen to offers if Pick No. 32 in the first round or any other pick can help them achieve the goal of finding their quarterback of the future,” Goldman wrote. Atlanta has until May 2 to exercise Pitts’ rookie contract’s $10.87 million fifth-year option.
Licciardi wonders where Pitts’ special skill set fits in now that Atlanta has acquired offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and new head coach Raheem Morris.
“Most teams don’t have a player with Pitts’ combination of height and speed (6-5, 245 with a 4.44 40-yard dash), thus the Rams (Robinson’s last team) didn’t have one. He was the target of 86 targets in 2023, with an average target depth of 12 yards. With over 25 targets, no other tight end was able to surpass 10 yards.
Kyle Pitts Could Be the Perfect Successor to Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
Although he reaches 35 next season, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is still Mahomes’ most dependable target. Kansas City must begin making plans for life after the eventual Hall of Famer. It is in Pitts’ and the Chiefs’ best interests to join the team while Kelce can mentor him.
“Pitts could be the ideal complement and a true successor, even with a player like Travis Kelce still playing at a high level,” Goldman wrote. The sole tight end signed by the Chiefs for the upcoming campaign is Noah Gray, not including Kelce.
Pitts’ usage “resembles a receiver more than a typical in-line tight end,” as Licciardi noted, and Kansas City needs that as well.
“Pitts could be the ideal complement and a true successor, even with a player like Travis Kelce still playing at a high level,” Goldman wrote. The sole tight end signed by the Chiefs for the upcoming campaign is Noah Gray, not including Kelce.
Pitts’ usage “resembles a receiver more than a typical in-line tight end,” as Licciardi noted, and Kansas City needs that as well.
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