Falcons should feel ashamed by new Kyle Pitts stat
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts deserves better. That is something we already knew. However, a new stat that was brought to our attention made it even clearer. "DaRon Bland has the same number of touchdowns on receptions this season as Kyle Pitts – the 4th overall pick in 2021 – has in his career," […]
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts deserves better.
That is something we already knew. However, a new stat that was brought to our attention made it even clearer.
"DaRon Bland has the same number of touchdowns on receptions this season as Kyle Pitts – the 4th overall pick in 2021 – has in his career," Pro Football Focus' Timo Riske wrote on Twitter/X over the weekend.
Bland and Pitts both have four touchdowns on 131 receptions.
The difference?
Bland, a former fifth-round pick, is a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and was able to record that in less than a single season, while Pitts is a tight end and alleged "top target" for Atlanta, but it has taken him nearly three seasons to reach those numbers.
The Falcons are to Blame for Pitts' Lack of Production
The Falcons are to blame for Pitts' lack of production and should feel ashamed.
Pitts was utilized properly during his rookie Pro Bowl year where he logged 68 catches for 1,026 yards and a touchdown. Since then, he's been underutilized.
When Pitts left during Week 11 last fall due to a season-ending knee injury, he had just 28 receptions for 356 yards and two touchdowns. And in nine games this year, Pitts has 35 receptions (58 targets) for 419 yards and a single score.
Ever since Matt Ryan left, the Falcons have had a quarterback problem. So, other than Arthur Smith's playcalling, the Falcons just don't have the guy under center that they need to get Pitts to make plays. Sure, Pitts isn't all that perfect either, or he would have caught every target thrown his way. But when he's rarely used as a relatively young former first-round pick, it's hard to put any blame on him.
The Falcons wouldn't budge on trading Pitts this past Oct. 31 deadline. It's also likely that trading Pitts won't happen anytime soon since he's still under his rookie contract for at least another year depending on his fifth-year option. If Atlanta opted to trade him before that contract was up, then they would be responsible for still paying him.
If Pitts can't get out of Atlanta, he at the very least deserves a quality quarterback and play-caller, otherwise his talents will continue to be wasted.
