It is no secret that the Atlanta Falcons have not done a good job of utilizing tight end Kyle Pitts, and nobody should be surprised if the one-time Pro Bowler asks for a trade. After recording a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, something incredibly rare for a tight end, Pitts has struggled to find a home in Atlanta’s offense. In 2022, he recorded just 28 receptions for 356 yards on 59 targets, and this year, he’s basically matching the statistical output of Jonnu Smith.
Head coach Arthur Smith refuses to use Pitts in a major role, and the terrible quarterback combination of 2022’s Marcus Mariota and 2023’s Desmond Ridder means that even when he does get targets, they’re usually uncatchable. Pitts’ rookie campaign proved that his skills can translate to the NFL, and it’s best for both sides if they go their separate ways. Several teams should be willing to take a gamble on the Florida product, but these five make the most sense.
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5 Teams That Should Trade For Kyle Pitts, Ranked
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs offense lives and dies with Travis Kelce. Patrick Mahomes is phenomenal and one of the top MVP candidates, but he can’t do it alone, and there isn’t a single receiver outside of Kelce capable of being a featured part of the passing attack. Kelce is also on the older side, as he just celebrated his 34th birthday and can’t possibly keep up this insane level of play forever. In the short term, the Chiefs need a secondary weapon to pair with Kelce in the passing attack. In the long term, they need to find someone who might be capable of replacing him. Kyle Pitts can fill both roles, so a trade makes plenty of sense for both sides.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are in first place in the NFC North and have one of the better offenses in the league. This passing attack should only improve with the addition of Jameson Williams, but if they want to reach their ceiling, they’ll shore up their need at tight end. The team has yet to find an adequate replacement for T.J. Hockenson, and Kyle Pitts might be the perfect trade addition. With Pitts, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Williams catching passes from Jared Goff in Ben Johnson’s offense, this team could have the firepower required for a deep postseason run.
Kyle Pitts targets vs Lions • week 3 – pic.twitter.com/XyaPQmoARV
— Athlete dynasty (@athlete_dynasty) September 28, 2023
Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams is done for the year, and rookie first-round pick Quentin Johnston has not done anything to inspire confidence thus far in his young NFL career. Right now, the entire Los Angeles Chargers passing attack rests on the shoulders of Justin Herbert and an older and oft-injured Keenan Allen. Considering how terrible their defense is, the Chargers need to bring in another pass-catching weapon to ensure that they can go blow-for-blow with any offense in the league. Kyle Pitts is the right man for the job, and the Chargers should consider pursuing a trade.
New England Patriots
Nobody loves tight ends more than the New England Patriots. The team is still trying to recapture the glory days of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, but the results aren’t there. Hunter Henry is one of the better receiving tight ends out there, but free-agent signee Mike Gesicki is an afterthought in this dormant passing attack. The Patriots need a better fit for the two tight end offenses, and they need someone that can actually threaten a defense over the top and after the catch. Kyle Pitts is a perfect fit here, and Bill Belichick has a history of getting the most out of this kind of trade.
Carolina Panthers
Would the Atlanta Falcons ever trade Kyle Pitts to a division rival? That is yet to be seen, but the Carolina Panthers have every reason to try and make a deal happen. Bryce Young has struggled through the first month of his professional career, but it’s hard to blame him for the lack of success. The aging Adam Thielen is easily his best receiver, and nobody else on the depth chart is anything more than a journeyman-level talent. The Panthers reportedly want to trade for a great pass-catching talent, and Pitts might just be the best one on the market. Carolina doesn’t have much in terms of trade capital, so they might have to trade a veteran in order to facilitate a deal.
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