The Atlanta Falcons selected tight end Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Pitts was widely viewed as the best non-quarterback prospect in this year's draft class after a breakout season at Florida last year. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound offensive weapon caught 100 passes for 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns in his three-year career in Gainesville. With his rare blend of speed, size and athleticism, Pitts became a star in his junior season and won the John Mackey award as the best tight end in college football.
While tight end wasn't necessarily a positional need for the Falcons entering the draft, the opportunity to add a player of Pitts' caliber was one that the team couldn't pass on. Adding Pitts to an offense that already has Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Hayden Hurst and Russell Gage as pass-catching weapons makes Atlanta's offense one of the best in the NFL.
Draft grade:
- Falcons: A
Pete Prisco:He is a can't-miss prospect. He is a mismatch nightmare. Great pick.
Expert analysis:
"While the player comparison for the purposes of this scouting report is Darren Waller, Pitts may have the traits and talent to create mismatches similar to those created by Calvin Johnson and Tyreek Hill. His rare blend of size, athleticism and ball skills are reminiscent of Megatron's. His ability as a pass-catching tight end could force defenses in his division to alter the way they construct their roster. He's a tough matchup for most linebackers and too big for most cornerbacks. He offers offensive coordinators the ability to align him all over the field and, like Waller, can become a highly targeted, highly productive pass catcher from the tight end position. He puts in effort as a blocker but with limited success. That's not what makes him special, though. Along with Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Pitts has a chance to become the biggest game-changer in the 2021 NFL Draft." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
FILE - Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) tires to get past Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine (16) after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Southeastern Conference championship game features two of the nation's top playmakers, and neither is a quarterback. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts are the real stars of the league's most potent offenses. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Santa Ana, Calif. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts runs after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Santa Ana, Calif. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 15-yard pass reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, in Gainesville, Fla. Pitts was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts runs the 40-yard dash during a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Santa Ana, Calif. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) runs a pass pattern against South Carolina defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) tires to get past Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine (16) after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. Kyle Pitts is arguably the most dynamic playmaker in the NFL draft, a versatile tight end who will try to impress league executives in person during Florida's pro day Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts catches a pass against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. The play was ruled out of bounds.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts runs the 40-yard dash during a pro day for NFL scouts, Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021, in Gainesville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) carries the ball after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) celebrates a 4-yard touchdown catch against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, Pool)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) carries the ball after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts runs after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts poses for a portrait Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Santa Ana, Calif. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
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