Falcons TE Kyle Pitts one of PFF’s highest graded rookies

The adjustment from college to the NFL is quite difficult for most rookies, and that can be for a variety of reasons — the pace of play, complexity of systems, etc. However, there are those rare first-year players that experience a seamless transition and immediately provide their teams with a positive impact. We are over halfway through Terry Fontenot’s first draft class’ first season, and one of them has made PFF’s top 15 highest graded rookies in 2021. Kyle Pitts is the highest graded skill position and fifth overall graded rookie, according to Pro Football Focus.

1. Creed Humphrey – 90.5
…
15. Elijah Mitchell – 72.6

Top 15 highest-graded rookies in 2021 ⬇️https://t.co/9tlx6jPhSq

— PFF (@PFF) November 16, 2021

5. TE KYLE PITTS, ATLANTA FALCONS

PFF overall grade: 79.5

Still without Calvin Ridley, the Falcons offense was a shell of itself on Sunday against the Cowboys. However, Kyle Pitts still showed up, with four catches for 60 yards to account for over half of Atlanta’s passing total.

Among all tight ends this season, Pitts ranks third in yards (606), seventh in receptions (40), and third in yards per catch (15.2). The rookie phenom caught 21 passes for 355 yards in three games but has only hauled in 19 passes for 251 yards in the other six games. As of right now, Pitts is on pace to break a few records.

Kyle Pitts is on pace for a 1,000 yard season, which is pretty, pretty good. https://t.co/JxbADmNvqC

Here are the youngest players to average 62.5 receiving yards per game at 240+ pounds. Pitts would be the first 21-year-old to do so. pic.twitter.com/cJ1PFic4nZ

— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) November 16, 2021