The only thing the NFL likes more than hyping up its young players is writing off those same players after just a few years. The league’s perception of Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts over the last three seasons is a perfect example of this phenomenon.
In 2021, Pitts was deemed a generational talent coming out of Florida. His combination of size, speed and play-making ability helped him get drafted fourth overall by Atlanta — the highest pick ever used on a tight end. Pitts lived up to expectations as a rookie, leading the Falcons with 1,026 receiving yards.
However, the narrative around Pitts shifted as adversity hit during his second season. His production significantly dropped off — partly due to playing with QB Marcus Mariota — and he suffered a knee injury which ended his season after just 10 games.
Pitts would slightly bounce back in 2023, but the fact that he has totaled just 1,023 yards in the two seasons since his 1,026-yard rookie campaign has made some around the league apprehensive about buying into the 23-year-old.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled NFL coaches and scouts to rank the league’s top 10 tight ends. Pitts was left out of the top 10 but was included with the honorable mentions:
It’s hard to imagine a 23-year-old tight end who has over 2,000 receiving yards in his first three seasons not being ranked among the top 10 players at his position. Perception is a funny thing in the NFL, though.
If Pitts can put up a few big games with Cousins at QB, it won’t take long for the narrative to shift back in his favor.
