Falcons: If Julio Jones is traded, will Kyle Pitts get more looks on the boundary?

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Draft

Rumors continue to swirl that the Falcons will deal Julio Jones in the coming days, and fans are understandably upset. On this week’s Talkin’ Birdy episode, we got a mailbag question asking if we thought Kyle Pitts could replace Julio Jones‘ production. My answer was simple: there is no replacing the impact and attention that Jones draws on the field, but in the Red Zone, I think Kyle Pitts can easily replace that production. I don’t think Pitts will come anywhere close to the amount of yards that Jones will put up, but he could be used on the boundary in a similar way.

Barring any changes, the Falcons will no longer have that impact X receiver out wide. Calvin Ridley is one of the best #2 receivers in the NFL, but he is more of a route runner rather than a jump ball specialist. Frank Darby shows some promise as a deep threat, but he is still a day three draft choice. Enter Kyle Pitts.

One of the most hyped tight end prospects of all time, Pitts boasts the longest wingspan for a tight end OR receiver in NFL history. On top of posting a blazing 40 time at his pro day, he has one of the more incredible catch radiuses you will ever see. Here’s an example of him bullying Carolina’s first-round pick Jaycee Horn along with some other impressive grabs:

https://twitter.com/StevenCheah/status/1370920641331888129?s=20

Here’s another example of Pitts working as a slot wing and snagging a ball he has no business catching:

I think there are NFL wide receivers that would have trouble bringing this ball in:

While even becoming half of what Julio Jones is would be a tall order, I think Pitts has the natural gifts and abilities to make it happen. Moving him all around the offense is paramount, and I believe Arthur Smith will shift him wherever to get the best out of him.

 

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