NFL.com's Kevin Patra listed the top priorities for every team in the NFL, from a Justin Jefferson extension to pleading for the Cincinnati Bengals to stay healthy for once. For the Atlanta Falcons, the priority is simple: Get the most out of the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history, Kyle Pitts, in 2024.
We could deliberate the Falcons quarterback situation for the bajillionth time since the team stunned the league by drafting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall on April 25 after paying big bucks to Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason. But it will be years before we have a clear picture of how that move panned out. Instead of treading in that water, let's move on to something more tangible for the 2024 Falcons. Since going for 1,026 yards as a rookie, Pitts has struggled. The past two seasons, he's combined for 1,023 yards on 81 catches with five touchdowns. He's lacked strength in traffic and missed opportunities for YAC. Were those issues simply a product of a poor quarterback situation? The Falcons added Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore to complement No. 1 WR Drake London, but for the offense to be explosive, Pitts needs to exploit linebackers and safeties. Cousins used his tight ends liberally in the past, so Pitts should have plenty of opportunities to show his lack of production wasn't a talent or focus issue.
Some have called 2024 a make-or-break year for Pitts, and while it probably isn't that dramatic, it shouldn't be surprising that people are expecting returns on Pitts in his fourth year in the league. Despite the statistics, Pitts is still highly regarded as an offensive weapon around the league with his unique blend of agility, size and speed. In 2021, Pitts was one of the most efficient tight ends in the league, averaging 2.02 yards per route run (4th-best among tight ends), according to PFF. To put this into perspective, Ja'Marr Chase (2.02), Trey McBride (2.03) and Michael Pittman, Jr. (2.04) all had similar marks in yards per route run in 2023.
Over the past two years, especially last season with that lingering injury, Pitts has been unable to crack the two-yard mark in yards per route run. Mooney and Moore's presence complementing London will leave ample opportunity for Pitts to work against the physically limited linebackers and safeties tasked with covering him, opening up a window of opportunity for another breakout season.
