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TE Kyle Pitts, ATL (1 Viewer)

Per Pro Football Focus, Florida TE Kyle Pitts' combined 39 first downs and touchdowns lead the country among TEs in 2020. 

Of course Pitts was the nation-wide leader. The Gators had one of the most explosive offense in the country last year thanks in large part to how much Pitts (6'6/240) did to keep the chains moving and find the end zone. Per PFF, the next-best TE in this category is Iowa State's Charlie Kolar, who racked up 35 first downs and touchdowns combined. 

SOURCE: PFF College on Twitter

Mar 21, 2021, 2:49 PM ET

 
Florida TE Kyle Pitts was timed unofficially at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash during a workout on Monday. 

Pitts (6'6/240), by far the best tight end in this draft class, is also considered to be one of the top prospects regardless of position. A player of his size being able to run the 40 at that speed is just something else to add to his already extensive draft profile. It would be very surprising if Pitts wasn't off the board within the first ten picks of next month's draft. 

SOURCE: Field Yates on Twitter

Mar 22, 2021, 3:56 PM ET

 
The case for Kyle Pitts to the Miami Dolphins at No. 3 and what happened that allows it

The idea, initially, was easy to dismiss.

After all, the Miami Dolphins already have a skilled pass catching tight end in Mike Gesicki but badly need receivers. 

So how could they possibly justify selecting UF tight end Kyle Pitts ahead of LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase or Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith with the third overall pick in April’s NFL Draft?

But the more you listen to NFL evaluators, it becomes easier and easier to make the case for Pitts at No. 3 — especially now that the Dolphins have addressed wide receiver in free agency by signing Will Fuller (53 catches, 879 yards, 8 touchdowns in 11 games last season). And Pitts is a pseudo-wide receiver in many ways.

As Mel Kiper Jr. has said on ESPN: “Stop thinking of Pitts as just a tight end. He’s in a different category than any player I can remember.”

The Fuller signing was liberating in the sense that the Dolphins are no longer necessarily compelled to take a wide receiver third. They still certainly might. But they won’t leave themselves in a mess at receiver if they do not, because they now have two clearly above-average receivers under contract (DeVante Parker, Fuller) and six decent ones (Preston Williams, Jakeem Grant, Albert Wilson, Allen Hurns, Lynn Bowden Jr., Robert Foster).

“I would take Pitts [over a receiver at No. 3],” a veteran AFC front-office executive told me, requesting anonymity. “He’s a special playmaker. Tremendous in the red zone. An offensive weapon.”

NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, when asked about the Eagles at No. 6, made a convincing case for why he would select Pitts if both Pitts and Chase were surprisingly available at that spot. And remember that Philadelphia already has two skilled tight ends in Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert.

“I would take Pitts; I think it’s a no-brainer,” Jeremiah said. “We’ve talked about how high the ceiling is with him. I think he can emerge as the best tight end in the National Football League. He has that type of dynamic ability. 

“Ja’Marr Chase, I have the same grade with Pitts, but to me if you wanted to find a receiver, another receiver, I think you’ve got better options for some of those receivers in later rounds than you would at the tight end position. This Kyle Pitts is a rare dude, man. I would take him.

“I think you can make a strong case he’s the best player in the draft. I have him as the third-best player right now. I’m watching these corners with first-, second-, third-round draft grades in the SEC and they can’t cover the guy.”

And this point from Jeremiah about Pitts was particularly interesting: “I think if he was just in this draft as an X receiver, he’s a top-10 or -15 pick if you’ve never even watched him put his hand in the ground. At that size, to be able to get in and out like he does is pretty rare, to turn guys inside out. You watch [Kansas City All-Pro tight end] Travis Kelce and you’ll see Kelce run those pivot routes where he’s so efficient and doesn’t waste any steps. 

“You see the same thing with Pitts, and then he has a bigger catch radius to go up over the top of people and make plays. To me it’s a matchup that’s going to be in your favor every time you line up. The defense can’t be right against him no matter what you do. You put big guys out there, he’s going to run away from them. You put small guys out there, he’s just going to pluck the ball off their heads. That to me is what makes him special.”

If the Dolphins were to select Pitts, they could trade Gesicki — who’s entering the final year of his contract — for a mid-round pick if they opt not to give him the type of big contract that agent Jimmy Sexton likely will seek. Gesicki can become an unrestricted free agent in a year.

That means the Dolphins essentially could replace Gesicki with a much cheaper player who’s considered a better player. (Nothing against Gesicki, who has developed into a top-10 receiving tight end with Miami. But Pitts is considered elite.) 

And Jeremiah, speaking in general and not about the Dolphins specifically, cites another advantage for selecting an elite tight end over an elite receiver: the amount each would be paid at the end of rookie contracts in four years.

“The point that was made to me by someone in the league, they said, ‘we look at receivers and tight ends.’ Look at the franchise number and look at the difference in money. I think there’s a difference of like $6 million bucks,” Jeremiah said. 

“So not only do you have a rare mismatch player that’s hard to find, once you get to the second contract he’s going to be extremely affordable compared to if you were going to take a receiver with that same pick. So you’re getting the same level of impact without having to pay that same level of cost. I think that could be something that could be a tiebreaker when you’re making that decision.”

Jeremiah’s point is correct; the franchise tag number for receivers this year is $15.9 million. For tight ends, it’s $9.6 million.

The Dolphins also could keep Gesicki and Pitts in this scenario — that could be a handful for defenses — but the question is whether it makes sense to invest significant cap space on a receiving tight end beginning in 2022 (Gesicki) if you have an exceptional far cheaper one on your roster (Pitts). A case could be made to flip Gesicki for a draft pick, but it’s not clear cut.

Jeremiah mentioned Gesicki, unprompted, about how Pitts and Gesicki can be used similarly.

“If you wanted to just primarily use [Pitts] as an X receiver, no problem, he could do that right now and be really good at it,” Jeremiah said. “Sometimes I think it’s kind of funny. Like I’d have to look it up, but like Gesicki with the Dolphins. 

“He still has TE next to his name. I don’t know how many times he was attached last year, but you might be able to count them on two hands. He was always detached. To me I would be trying to use this kid that way, just flex him out and use him. Then some games you want to split him out, some games you want to use him in the slot. You can get him in line. 

“If you get [opposing defenses] to go small, that is what is so great about him; you get them to go small, he can hold his own and shield guys off as a run blocker. I would much rather be throwing him the ball.”

Pitts, who stands 6-6 and 246 pounds, is arguably the best receiving tight end in the draft in years; he caught 43 passes for 770 yards (17.9 average) and 12 touchdowns in eight games.

But what about Pitts as a blocker?

“As a blocker, when you watched him in 2019 I thought he was willing, but I thought he was really flimsy and just got thrown around,” Jeremiah said. “As you can imagine, a tall, lean guy, he really struggled. I thought he was much better this year to the point where I thought he was functional. He’s not a killer. He’s not going to put anybody in the hospital as a blocker, but he’s functional. He can wall guys off and you can use him there.”

Bottom line?

“To me the best matchup on the field is an athletic tight end versus the linebackers and safeties that are going to try and cover him,” Jeremiah said. “Some of the best corners in the SEC couldn’t cover this kid, and now we’re going to ask linebackers to try and match up with him? Not going to happen.”

And that’s why Pitts at No. 3 cannot be and should not be discounted.

 
I hope for a couple of things here:

I hope someone drafts him early in rookie drafts so that a good non-TE prospect slips down a notch and..

I hope I'm in position to draft Pitts later in the first. :shrug:

 
 I know my league mates read this forum, so, if I don’t get Harris or Williams at 1.03 (need a RB) I’m taking Pitts (TE premium league), even though I already have Kittle and Andrews and can only start a max 2 tes.  I’ll just trade one.  I just will not draft Etienne over Pitts.  I like Chase too, but.....

 
Andy Dufresne said:
I hope for a couple of things here:

I hope someone drafts him early in rookie drafts so that a good non-TE prospect slips down a notch and..

I hope I'm in position to draft Pitts later in the first. :shrug:
Yeah I'm doing whatever I can to draft him. I got Tonyan but Ertz as well and who knows what will happen there. I had Gronk in another league for yrs and did wonders. Each week Gronk was healthy besides Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson at the time were my easiest starts to pick from outside of Gostowski at K I had for yrs. TEs are a thin position in the NFL as is and even in Fantasy. Unless you got Kelce or Kittle or even Waller now you are kind of getting a revolving door. Get Pitts and you have a plug and play ever week no matter the QB because at TE he can even be a safety valve for a QB. 

 
Also I'm biased on a few accounts here. I'm from Philly and So is Pitts. I remember when he was getting first recruited (My Cousin is a coach in HS in the PA area in the county close to where he went to school) and he was a WR. Coaches in the area said he was the best HS WR and best Hands since they had seen Marvin Harrison years ago. UF changed him to TE because of his talent as he was the #5 Recruit at WR in his recruiting class and UF had openings at TE just to get his talent on the field. He excelled big time. 

My Second bias is I'm a Florida fan through the through since the 90s. I absolutely Love Pitts and hope the Eagles bring him home. It'd be a great story especially if he ends up as good as Daniel Jermiah thinks he can be. 

 
Also I'm biased on a few accounts here. I'm from Philly and So is Pitts. I remember when he was getting first recruited (My Cousin is a coach in HS in the PA area in the county close to where he went to school) and he was a WR. Coaches in the area said he was the best HS WR and best Hands since they had seen Marvin Harrison years ago. UF changed him to TE because of his talent as he was the #5 Recruit at WR in his recruiting class and UF had openings at TE just to get his talent on the field. He excelled big time. 

My Second bias is I'm a Florida fan through the through since the 90s. I absolutely Love Pitts and hope the Eagles bring him home. It'd be a great story especially if he ends up as good as Daniel Jermiah thinks he can be. 
I'm reading he could go #3 to Miami or #4 Atlanta.  If the Eagles want him they may have to move up.  Hell, even the Bengals at #5 could use him.

 
I’ve only heard this whispered about but what are the chances he goes to a team that just converts him to WR and he loses TE eligibility for fantasy? Is that on anyone’s radar? 

 
I’ve only heard this whispered about but what are the chances he goes to a team that just converts him to WR and he loses TE eligibility for fantasy? Is that on anyone’s radar? 
yes, I've thought about that and would hate it

 
I’ve only heard this whispered about but what are the chances he goes to a team that just converts him to WR and he loses TE eligibility for fantasy? Is that on anyone’s radar? 


yes, I've thought about that and would hate it
It wouldn't be ideal but if they are doing this it is because he is excelling and isn't that really the point in who you draft?  Of course the preference would be to remain at TE (especially in TE premium leagues) but it's not like he loses all value if he goes to WR and is putting up the numbers that warrant the move.  

 
It wouldn't be ideal but if they are doing this it is because he is excelling and isn't that really the point in who you draft?  Of course the preference would be to remain at TE (especially in TE premium leagues) but it's not like he loses all value if he goes to WR and is putting up the numbers that warrant the move.  
I disagree.  It definitely changes his value in fantasy leagues IMO.  There are a lot more viable WRs than TEs, no matter if he's a top 10 WR or not.

 
I disagree.  It definitely changes his value in fantasy leagues IMO.  There are a lot more viable WRs than TEs, no matter if he's a top 10 WR or not.
I am not saying it doesn't change his value.  I am saying that if that does happen (which nobody can control) it is likely a sign that he is excelling as a pass catcher which will have value as many rookies don't "hit".  

 
I am not saying it doesn't change his value.  I am saying that if that does happen (which nobody can control) it is likely a sign that he is excelling as a pass catcher which will have value as many rookies don't "hit".  
If a team drafts him and says they will play him at WR instead of TE, his value drops to the back end of the first round.  If that happened, I would take any of the 3 RBs, 4 WRs, and Lawrence over him in a start 1qb league and drop even further in a SF league.

 
The NFL team that drafts him will have a big financial incentive to utilize Pitts enough as a tight end over the duration of his rookie contract, so that they can make the case to pay him at that position classification for his second contract versus being classified as a wide receiver.

 
If a team drafts him and says they will play him at WR instead of TE, his value drops to the back end of the first round.  If that happened, I would take any of the 3 RBs, 4 WRs, and Lawrence over him in a start 1qb league and drop even further in a SF league.
Ok.  I thought the discussion was if a team moved him to WR down the road........not at the time of the draft so everyone had that info before the majority of fantasy drafts.  If that happens before he plays a game then I agree his value takes quite a hit (especially in TE premium leagues)

 
It wouldn't be ideal but if they are doing this it is because he is excelling and isn't that really the point in who you draft?  Of course the preference would be to remain at TE (especially in TE premium leagues) but it's not like he loses all value if he goes to WR and is putting up the numbers that warrant the move.  
I would say the impact is obvious in TE premium. In other leagues, it does raise the stakes. If Pitts is a TE and becomes a 75/850/7 guy that’s disappointing but you are still getting a weeky TE1 starter. If he’s doing that at WR than he’s a WR4/flex guy. 

 
If a team drafts him and says they will play him at WR instead of TE, his value drops to the back end of the first round.  If that happened, I would take any of the 3 RBs, 4 WRs, and Lawrence over him in a start 1qb league and drop even further in a SF league.
I don't think any team is going to change his designation for one basic reason:  The franchise tag for TE is about 6 million less than it is for WR.  So if you keep Pitts listed as a TE, you can franchise him in 4 years at a lower number than if you designate him as a WR.  He will be a TE in the NFL no matter where he lines up.

 
I don't think any team is going to change his designation for one basic reason:  The franchise tag for TE is about 6 million less than it is for WR.  So if you keep Pitts listed as a TE, you can franchise him in 4 years at a lower number than if you designate him as a WR.  He will be a TE in the NFL no matter where he lines up.
cool beans.

 
I'm reading he could go #3 to Miami or #4 Atlanta.  If the Eagles want him they may have to move up.  Hell, even the Bengals at #5 could use him.
I see the Bengals gettin Sewell. Yes he's moved up the board but the media has been behind on the scouts forever on Pitts. If he was listed as WR he's probably a hair over Chase as the #1 guy. Not sure how it would work in Mia. ATL needs to be thinking QB though and I think the Pitts talk is a smoke screen so they can get their QB. Eagles wanting a QB #6 I will say is not. From those I know including two trusted guys in the media I was told in January during the Wentz situation if Carson was traded I asked both "Guns to your head is Hurts the starting QB opening day come 2022 Season?" Both said "if Carson is traded the QB probably isn't on the roster. Most of the higher ups wanted to keep Wentz and a large portion of the Org doesn't think Hurts is the guy now or the future." Thats when Mort made his report of Lurie telling the team to build around Hurts Les Bowen of the Inquire tweeted if thats the decision that decision was just made Very recently in the last few days. Which suggest to me my guys have been spot on the assessment of the Orgs thinking of Hurts. WOuldn't be surprised if Philly drafts a QB early or drafts one high next year. I think Hurts fans thinking his job is safe are in for a rude awakening. 

I prefere Pitts or Chase for the Eagles because outside of Lawerence I don't think any of these QBs are worth a top 10 selection other then maybe Wilson and both will be gone by then. I'd prefer if we are taking a QB move back in the late teens and take Mac Jones or wait till day 2 to get Task. I like Trey Lance but I'm not as giddy of him out of NDST as I was and still am with Carson Wentz. 

 
I’ve only heard this whispered about but what are the chances he goes to a team that just converts him to WR and he loses TE eligibility for fantasy? Is that on anyone’s radar? 
Not a surprise. he was a WR coming out of HS. Only converted to TE because Florida was thin there and have a lot of depth and talent at WR to the point UF has rotated their WR's like a team does their DL just to get everyone on the field. TE was perfect to get him on the field and he could line up as a WR. Might have to drop some weight to really flourish as WR as he put up muscle and such to keep up at TE. 

 
The NFL team that drafts him will have a big financial incentive to utilize Pitts enough as a tight end over the duration of his rookie contract, so that they can make the case to pay him at that position classification for his second contract versus being classified as a wide receiver.
Daniel Jermiah made a great point when Eagles Blog Bleeding Green talked to him about Pitts and why he's so giddy on him as well as why DJ thinks he's a perfect fit for the Eagles. Some will say he just wants Pitts there because he use to be a scout for us but honestly DJ is pretty genuine and will crap on the Eagles when needed too. However he brought up the financial incentives of drafting Pitts as a TE as opposed to one of the WRs. 

 
Not a surprise. he was a WR coming out of HS. Only converted to TE because Florida was thin there and have a lot of depth and talent at WR to the point UF has rotated their WR's like a team does their DL just to get everyone on the field. TE was perfect to get him on the field and he could line up as a WR. Might have to drop some weight to really flourish as WR as he put up muscle and such to keep up at TE. 
He’s a Darren Waller, I believe. I could see him going to Philly. But not after a trade down. He will go early on right where Philly is picking. Just my opinion. He’s a weapon difference maker, that likely goes top 8. 

 
He’s a Darren Waller, I believe. I could see him going to Philly. But not after a trade down. He will go early on right where Philly is picking. Just my opinion. He’s a weapon difference maker, that likely goes top 8. 
I agree. The reason I want him over the WRs also is we suck at developing WRs and I know we'll end up with the wrong WR. With TE we've been great at developing them and being successful over the years. Plus Goedart's contract is up after next year and he's gonna get paid. He's done way more then some of the guys who have gotten paid at the position in the last 2 yrs in FA outside of Hunter Henry Production wise. So Financially for Philly it also makes sense if they lose Goedart after next season 

 
I'm taking him top4 regardless of if he gets moved to WR or not. If he's a TE, great, positional advantage and all. He's so dynamic and excellent at route running and catching. That's all I care about. 

If he gets moved to WR, either now or down the road, he's Mike Evans. Still a dominant guy, arguably the best WR in this draft class. He's neck and neck with Chase for me and I wouldn't care which one I get. 

 
it seems every year there's a TE that gets a lot of love coming out of college.

Every year fantasyIndex.com runs a story about highly regarded TE's flopping in year one in the NFL.

TE's rarely make much of an impact in their first NFL season, I don't think Pitts is going to buck that trend. Likely selected too early in fantasy drafts. great value in dynasty leagues I suppose, but even then I'm still not burning a first round pick on him. 

 
In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Cincinnati Bengals to select Florida TE Kyle Pitts with the No. 5 overall selection.

The vast, vast majority of mocks out there tab the Bengals to draft Oregon T Penei Sewell in this slot. And Kiper has been thinking that way, too. But he's intrigued by the possibility of a Ja'Marr Chase or Kyle Pitts as a weapon to turbocharge the Bengals offense. To which you could reasonably argue, kind of hard to turbocharge your offense when your quarterback is spending half the game buried in the dirt. Kiper sees Cincinnati taking a lineman on Day 2 if they go the Pitts route on Day 1. No surprise there. 

SOURCE: ESPN Plus

Mar 24, 2021, 1:46 PM ET

 
Tanner9919 said:
great value in dynasty leagues I suppose, but even then I'm still not burning a first round pick on him. 
Wut?  Even in SF he goes 1st round and for sure in start 1QB leagues.  So I guess you won't own him in any league.

 
Yes, but they won't have a chance at him unless they move up.  Someone posted there is a financial issue moving a player to WR.
The Eagles may need to move up to get Pitts and it is also possible that Pitts will be available at the sixth overall pick - nobody can say with 100% certainty where he will be selected as the NFL Draft never falls exactly how the mock drafts expect it to fall, and right now we are in peak lying season where NFL teams are spreading smokescreens and disinformation to hide and obscure their true intentions. 

 I, along with others, posted that teams will have a financial incentive to utilize Pitts in a manner where they can make the case that he should be paid like a tight end after his rookie contract has expired; however, that doesn’t guarantee that they will do this or that they will necessarily be successful at that argument. I can see a scenario in year one with the Eagles where assuming that they are unsuccessful in trading Ertz that they keep utilizing Ertz and Goedert as their tight ends while lining Pitts up more like a wide receiver. 

 
Tanner9919 said:
it seems every year there's a TE that gets a lot of love coming out of college.

Every year fantasyIndex.com runs a story about highly regarded TE's flopping in year one in the NFL.

TE's rarely make much of an impact in their first NFL season, I don't think Pitts is going to buck that trend. Likely selected too early in fantasy drafts. great value in dynasty leagues I suppose, but even then I'm still not burning a first round pick on him. 
It depends where he lands. Like, imagine him in Green Bay and tell me you wouldn't burn the 1.05 or better on him.

 
The Eagles may need to move up to get Pitts and it is also possible that Pitts will be available at the sixth overall pick - nobody can say with 100% certainty where he will be selected as the NFL Draft never falls exactly how the mock drafts expect it to fall, and right now we are in peak lying season where NFL teams are spreading smokescreens and disinformation to hide and obscure their true intentions. 

 I, along with others, posted that teams will have a financial incentive to utilize Pitts in a manner where they can make the case that he should be paid like a tight end after his rookie contract has expired; however, that doesn’t guarantee that they will do this or that they will necessarily be successful at that argument. I can see a scenario in year one with the Eagles where assuming that they are unsuccessful in trading Ertz that they keep utilizing Ertz and Goedert as their tight ends while lining Pitts up more like a wide receiver. 
Pitts is a possibility at 1.03 with Miami. Two speedy 6'6" hybrid TEs, along with Parker and Fuller, would give Tua some good options. Plus, in 2022 keep Gesicki at the TE discount, cut Parker  and sign a #1 FA WR, there should be plenty who signed 1 year deals. 

 
Pitts is a possibility at 1.03 with Miami. Two speedy 6'6" hybrid TEs, along with Parker and Fuller, would give Tua some good options. Plus, in 2022 keep Gesicki at the TE discount, cut Parker  and sign a #1 FA WR, there should be plenty who signed 1 year deals. 
Is he a consensus Top 10 pick? Seems like a mid to late first based on historical precedent. Teams love gobbling d-line prospects early.

 
Is he a consensus Top 10 pick? Seems like a mid to late first based on historical precedent. Teams love gobbling d-line prospects early.
Many drafts have him going to Philly at 6. I see Miami picking at 1.03, in order of probability, Chase, Smith, Pitts, Sewell. 

 
JohnnyU said:
 I know my league mates read this forum, so, if I don’t get Harris or Williams at 1.03 (need a RB) I’m taking Pitts (TE premium league), even though I already have Kittle and Andrews and can only start a max 2 tes.  I’ll just trade one.  I just will not draft Etienne over Pitts.  I like Chase too, but.....
If I'm drafting 4th in this league, Etienne will go either at the 1.02 or the 1.05.  Might rethink if Etienne ends up in a great situation.  Possible landing spots that would make me reconsider are ATL, PIT, SDC, SFO, and MIA ... and that's about it; and even then I'd strongly consider alternatives.

 
2021 NFL Draft Scouting Notes And Thoughts

Excerpt:

Pitts played tight end at Florida but there are two NFL players who come to mind when watching him, and they’re both (very good) outside receivers: Mike Evans and D.K. Metcalf. The fact Pitts can align inside or motion across the formation adds value. A team seeking a traditional, hand-in-dirt TE or even a standard flex TE (think Travis Kelce) is going to be disappointed in Pitts. A team seeking a game-breaking downfield and red zone threat who can be used to dictate matchups and create mismatches in the secondary will value him above any of the collegiate WRs in this class. I have a hard time seeing Pitts not being one of the first six picks off the board and he could go as high as No. 2 overall. 

 

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