Prioritizing Pitts! Falcons Next Coach Must Unlock Offensive Weapons; Is That Belichick?
He was supposed to be the next big thing, so how did generational tight end prospect Kyle Pitts go from being the No. 4 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft and joining the Atlanta Falcons to being considered just another guy?
Although still a Falcon, Pitts has occasionally been labeled JAG (just another guy) due to being misused by former Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith, but could hiring soon-to-be-former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick change that?
The Atlanta Falcons need a head coach who utilizes tight end Kyle Pitts better.
Pitts entered the league by largely living up to the hype of someone projected to become perhaps the most dominant tight end since Rob Gronkowski, a former Belichick pupil turned Hall of Famer.
As a rookie, Pitts would see his role in the Falcons offense increase late in the season as the team lacked a true No. 1 receiver without Calvin Ridley. Pitts would finish his rookie season with 1,026 receiving yards in 15 starts.
Unfortunately, Pitts has only accounted for 1,023 yards in his 25 starts since his impressive rookie season, often being used as a decoy in Smith's offense, much to the frustration of fans.
In the years since Pitts came in touted as a generational prospect, players have come in and outperformed him despite his unparalleled physical attributes, such as Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who is in the midst of a phenomenal rookie season.
LaPorta is already a Pro Bowler responsible for 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 starts. On the other hand, Pitts has just six touchdowns over the entirety of his career in Atlanta.
Perhaps even more frustrating is the idea that LaPorta isn't even the only person potentially overshadowing Pitts. This draft class features Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who is the most heralded receiving prospect at the position since Pitts entered the NFL in 2021.
If something doesn't change soon, not only will Pitts not live up to his Hall of Fame potential, but he might not even be a name that fans know, considering all the young talent that continues to come in each year.
Belichick has managed a freakish tight end before in Gronk, who was a five-time Pro Bowler with the Patriots, an honor that Pitts hasn't earned since his rookie season.
Still just 23 years old, Pitts has the potential to have a long, successful career, especially if someone like Belichick manages to make him a focal point in Atlanta's offense.
