In his first NFL draft as general manager, Terry Fontenot made history by selecting Kyle Pitts with the fourth overall pick — higher than any other tight end ever.
The 6’6″, 245-pound freak ran his 40-yard dash in a remarkable 4.44 seconds, recorded a 10’9″ broad jump and a 33.5-inch vertical leap at his Pro Day. However, the most impressive measurement had to be his wingspan, which is over 83 inches and is longer than any other wide receiver or tight end that has been measured at the NFL combine in the last 20 years.
The Falcons offense has struggled mightily for much of the 2021 season, but Matt Ryan did lead the team down the field in the waning minutes of the Giants game to set up a Younghoe Koo game-winning field goal. Still, that hasn’t stopped the waves of concern over the lack of production out of the unicorn that is Pitts.
Arthur Smith isn’t naive; he’s trying to get his best players the ball. Unfortunately, opposing defenses have come with a concerted effort to keep the ball out of Pitts’ hands. However, that hasn’t stopped many fans from griping about his lack of production. Still, we have to remember he is a rookie and that it will take time to develop.
He was one of the highest-profile prospects coming out of college, and the league had no precedence for what he could potentially be. A Falcons veteran reminded us exactly what he could become.
"If the good Lord keeps him healthy, he’ll put on a gold jacket one day."
Below you'll find the full, incredible, quote from Lee Smith about Kyle Pitts, the person and the player: pic.twitter.com/s5hOAHOe2F
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) October 1, 2021
Lee Smith is a high-character individual who likely means what he says. Smith has been doing this tight end thing for quite a long time, so for him to say indefinitely that Pitts will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame if he stays healthy is some incredibly high praise. His breakout performance hasn’t come yet, but he flashed what he’s capable of against the Buccaneers with this catch and run.
Kyle Pitts' catch & run looks even cooler from the endzone angle pic.twitter.com/WDf8D95Fxh
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 23, 2021
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