A fascinating trade proposal has a young AFC team making a blockbuster move for Atlanta Falcons star tight end Kyle Pitts.
The No. 4 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft was once regarded as a generational tight end prospect, but Pitts hasn’t lived up to the hype through four seasons. He showed promise as a rookie with 68 catches for 1,026 yards and a touchdown but hasn’t eclipsed the 60-catch or 700-yard marks in a season ever since.
Kyle Pitts is heading into the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. If the Falcons aren’t keen on extending him long-term (and they shouldn’t be, given his inconsistent production), GM Terry Fontenot should actively shop Pitts at the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently proposed one trade idea for all 32 first-round picks in the upcoming draft. In one proposal, Barnwell proposed the Falcons trading Pitts, the No. 15 pick and a 2026 third-rounder to the New York Jets in exchange for the No. 7 selection:
“They might be equally excited about moving on from Pitts, who has seemingly fallen out of favor after failing to build on an impressive rookie season in 2021. On the Jets’ side, Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt are their only tight ends, so adding a 24-year-old with upside would have to appeal to new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Pitts will be on a one-year, $10.8 million deal for 2025, but New York would have a reasonable transition tag option for 2026 at $13.9 million if Pitts plays up to his potential.
This trade would implicitly value Pitts as being worth the No. 66 pick in a typical draft. I’d argue that’s generous given his performance the past two seasons, but he’s still a former top-five pick at a position that regularly needs development. The Jets aren’t really in the market for front-seven players, but they could look toward wide receiver or an offensive lineman at No. 15 while adding a new top tight end.”
Michael Penix Jr. to Kyle Pitts on 4th down!! pic.twitter.com/PGbIR4nICx
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024
The new-look Jets cut quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams and handed Justin Fields a two-year deal in free agency. An offense with Fields, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Allen Lazard has promise, but adding a player like Kyle Pitts could take this offense to another level.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Kyle Pitts Needs A Fresh Start
One reason Pitts hasn’t built off his excellent 2021 rookie year? The lack of stellar quarterback play in Atlanta, notably Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Kirk Cousins.
It’s evident that Pitts needs a fresh start, and a young up-and-coming team like the Jets could be the landing spot to fully unlock his sky-high ceiling.
