Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Draws Optimism In A Pivotal Season On Day One Of Training Camp

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Draws Optimism In A Pivotal Season On Day One Of Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

In what is to be a contract year for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, he would draw optimism on day one of training camp, and looks to be a crucial target for Michael Penix Jr.

Kyle Pitts was selected 4th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The general manager, Terry Fontenot, and then head coach Arthur Smith would make Pitts the highest draft pick for a tight end in history out of the University of Florida.

Pitts was considered a "unicorn" when selected from the Florida Gators. His rookie season yielded a Pro Bowl appearance, and the numbers were impressive. Still, then the targets dropped off, and the doubters started to creep into the conversation about whether he was indeed a generational talent over the next few seasons.

It is worth noting that Matt Ryan was the quarterback in Atlanta when Pitts was drafted in his rookie season. After Ryan's departure, Atlanta has not had a franchise quarterback to distribute targets until recently.

Fast forward five years, and Pitts will find himself having five different quarterbacks in those five years. Why yes, that is a lot of fives, but it may be Pitts' lucky number. During the first day of training camp in Flowery Branch, Pitts would see several targets and make multiple catches, delighting the coaches and fans. He and Drake London look to be huge targets for second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

If it is any indication of what's to come, Pitts would mostly line up at slot receiver on the day, meaning that Atlanta will look to use him as more of a receiver, versus strictly a tight end. In Pitts' first three seasons, he would spend 70% of his snaps either at the slot or receiver position.

Atlanta has Charlie Woerner as another option at Tight End. Woerner is one of the best blockers in the league, but not much of a downhill weapon, eating up targets. It appears that Pitts will be in a battle for the 3rd wide receiver spot on the depth chart with Ray-Ray McCloud, who would have his best season ever in Atlanta last year.

The offense provides plenty of weaponry to go around, but due to no fault of his own, in a contract year, Pitts will need more targets, and possibly 100 catches to earn that veteran contract at season's end. If today's practice is any indication of the future, Pitts might help turn things around in Atlanta.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.