In 2022 Kyle Pitts played 10 games and accumulated 28 receptions for 356 yards and 2 touchdowns for a grand total of 47.6 fantasy points. Pitts accumulated an average stat line of 2.8 receptions for 35.6 yards and .2 touchdowns per game last season.
This was a major disappointment after Pitts came storming into the NFL in 2021 and was just the second rookie tight end in NFL history to accumulate over 1000 yards in his rookie season. Fans even nominated Pitts to the Pro Bowl, the first rookie tight end to be elected to the honorary game in over 20 years.
Pitts was selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft. Such a statement seems like common knowledge, but the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff needed to remember the meaning of such a fact and woefully underutilized Pitts.
The Falcons
The Falcons run the ball the fourth most in the league on a per-game basis at 33 attempts and throw the ball 21.4 times per game, which ranks the second-fewest among the NFL. This isn’t a recipe for Pitts to bounce back in 2023. If the Falcons look different at the quarterback position, it can be reasonably inferred the coaching staff would throw the ball more, but it’s not something I’m willing to bet on myself.
Where Will Pitts Be in 2023?
It is somewhat unclear where Pitts will be playing next season, as the Falcons are seen as a team that is looking to make their way up the draft board in order to draft a quarterback. Making such a jump in the draft would likely require the Falcons to cough up Pitts as well as potentially an exorbitant amount of future draft picks.
Such a move might seem rather unlikely, but with Pitts coming off an injury and the coaching staff seemingly ignoring the talent he possesses, it is a possible scenario with the NFL draft approaching. Such a decision could potentially boost his ceiling if dealt to the right place.
If the Falcons are to trade up to the first overall pick from the Chicago Bears; Pitts and Justin Fields would make for an especially interesting fantasy duo. I could imagine Fields and Pitts working very well together.
Should You Draft Pitts?
I think it really depends on who is throwing Pitts the ball come game day. If Pitts is in a new situation or has a new quarterback, his fantasy outlook becomes more interesting. If Marcus Mariota is his quarterback, I would stay away from Kyle Pitts in 2023.
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