The Atlanta Falcons recently traded for tight end Jonnu Smith in a move that might make former top-five pick Kyle Pitts obsolete. Pitts had a remarkable rookie season, recording 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a touchdown on 110 targets. However, he struggled to fit into Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme in Year 2, and it would be strange for Atlanta to employ two tight ends that fill a similar role. Pitts might have had a rough year last year, but he was still a generational prospect that proved he can thrive in the right NFL offense. Chances are, several teams would be interested in trading for Kyle Pitts if the opportunity presents itself.
Here’s 350+ yards & TDs in overthrows pic.twitter.com/eVXVfGukwW https://t.co/26MeuyDmKs
— garrett (@jalenreagors) February 28, 2023
Top 5 Kyle Pitts Trade Destinations, Ranked
1. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have been linked to tight ends since the start of the offseason. Gerald Everett is a fine player, but he’s entering the final year of his contract and will be 30 by the time he reaches the open market. While on the topic, it’s worth mentioning that all of Herbert’s top receivers are on the older side, and they need to add a younger player. Kyle Pitts is as good as any option, and he and Herbert could dominate the league for the next decade.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have perhaps the best wide receiver duo in football in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but that likely won’t be the case for long. Higgins is set to hit free agency following the 2023 campaign, and Cincinnati probably won’t have the resources to sign Higgins, Chase, and Joe Burrow around to second contracts. While all three players are great, Higgins is easily the most expendable of the three. The Bengals need to plan for life without Higgins, and a trade for Kyle Pitts could be the answer to that problem. While they obviously play different positions, Pitts is essentially a receiver and can easily contribute to the passing game. In 2023, Pitts will be yet another weapon for a loaded Bengals team, but in 2024 and beyond, Pitts, Chase, and Burrow can form a deadly trio.
3. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have an impressive young core on offense, but they could use a tight end. The team sent T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings at the 2022 trade deadline and, as of this posting, they never found a proper replacement. Kyle Pitts might not be a good enough blocker for Dan Campbell, but run blocking isn’t what wins games in today’s NFL. You need to have an elite passing attack, and combining Pitts with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams gives Detroit all the pieces they need to win at all three levels of the field.
4. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are going to draft a quarterback with the second-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and if they want that player to succeed, they’ll need to give him something to work with. The team has already improved the offensive line with Shaq Mason and added Robert Woods via free agency. However, the team could trade for a reliable security blanket like Kyle Pitts. Pitts excels at getting open early in his routes, and he could be the ideal checkdown option for a young passer.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce is amazing, but he can’t possibly keep this up forever, right? The future Hall of Famer is entering his age-34 season, so Kansas City needs to start thinking about finding a successor. There is only one Travis Kelce, but Pitts has the tools to be the next-best thing, especially in an offense where blocking isn’t that big of a deal. In the short-term, these two would be the greatest tight end duo since Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and defenses simply wouldn’t be able to stop this offense. In the long term, Pitts can slide in for Kelce and the offense likely won’t miss a beat.
Main Photo: Dale Zanine – USA Today Sports
