KylePitts Sr.

News: 4 days agoPitts brought in one of three targets for 15 yards in the Falcons' 34-3 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Spin: Pitts was able to make his mark in the catch column for the first time in the new season, but that one reception turned out to be his only contribution on the afternoon. However, given Cooper Rush and Jack Strand combined to throw for only 145 yards and three interceptions, Pitts' sparse production is largely explained away. The talented tight end figures to see his outlook brighten whenever Michael Penix (knee) or Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) are able to suit up, with a Week 3 Thursday night road matchup against the Packers their next opportunity to do so.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Right when it seemed like Pitts might never live up to the hype, the 2021 No. 4 pick put together the best season of his career. Pitts finished second among tight ends in routes, targets, catches, yards and fantasy points, setting career highs in all but the yardage category. He scored five touchdowns and has increased his total in that category (by exactly one) each season in the league. Pitts did a big chunk of his damage with Kirk Cousins under center (some with WR Drake London sidelined), which is notable as Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are set to battle for the Atlanta QB job. There's some obvious risk here considering Pitts finished 17th or lower in PPG three straight seasons before 2025, but he nonetheless enters his age-25 season as a priority target in the Atlanta offense. Consider him a midrange TE1.