The talk of the Falcons’ win over the Saints revolves around Atlanta’s 4th overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft — Kyle Pitts.
The highest-drafted tight end in NFL history continued a very disappointing stretch of play on Sunday, putting up a buckshot of 0 catches and yards. It’s sparked a visceral reaction from the fan base, one that is left questioning, “Is Kyle Pitts a bust?
Considering his lofty draft status, it’s impossible to argue that he hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far. However, are we ready to declare him a bust four games into his fourth season?
Pitts has totaled a little over 100 yards and one score on fewer than ten receptions this season. That’s a stat line that a lot of Falcons fans expected from Pitts on a week-to-week basis, not through four games.
When he came into the league, the Florida product totaled more than 1,000 yards receiving en route to a Pro Bowl bid. He set franchise records and nearly broke Mike Ditka’s all-time rookie record for receiving yards among tight ends, but Pitts hasn’t sniffed that level of production since.
In 48 NFL games, Kyle Pitts is averaging less than 50 yards per game, and he’s scored seven touchdowns in that span. Suffice to say, he’s been incredibly underwhelming for the most part. There’s no arguing that fact.
However, I do believe it’s premature to declare him a bust. Trey Lance, who the 49ers traded multiple first-round picks to land, is a bust. Zach Wilson, who has also already been traded, is a bust. While Falcons fans can curse Terry Fontenot for not drafting one of the many superstars — Patrick Surtain II, Jamarr Chase, Penei Sewell, Micah Parson, etc — taken after Pitts, he’s not yet bust level, in my opinion.
Here’s my rationale.
In the past, Falcons fans and Pitts proponents pointed to injuries, Arthur Smith, and poor quarterback play. The hope was that Kirk Cousins, Zac Robinson, and a fully healthy offseason would enable Kyle Pitts to get back to his rookie production levels.
Two of those haven’t changed much at all. Cousins and Robinson haven’t come as advertised early in the 2024 campaign. That’s not to say they won’t get better or that I’m making more excuses for Pitts. I’m merely pointing out the facts. Cousins hasn’t been great, and neither has Robinson.
That said, it would be disingenuous not to blame Kyle Pitts himself. The Falcons aren’t getting great play out of him either, and it might be that third excuse that is still limiting him, injuries.
every Kyle Pitts route with a target
what do you notice? pic.twitter.com/jYxSvcn3wS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 30, 2024
I’m still not ready to emphatically declare Kyle Pitts a bust, but it is getting increasingly hard to defend him. If you’re already there, I don’t blame you. He has to be much more impactful if this Falcons offense is ever going to be what we imagined coming into the season.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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