The Kyle "Is not the" Pitts Thread

[YouMightDieTryin]

He's Julio 2.0. How many seasons did he do this same exact thing to him? A monster between the 20s, but unknown inside. Unless it's a forced toss up ball that'll be under thrown or out of bounds.

[mild]

He's Julio 2.0. How many seasons did he do this same exact thing to him? A monster between the 20s, but unknown inside. Unless it's a forced toss up ball that'll be under thrown or out of bounds.

Hmmm. Different player, different coaching staff. Same uniforms and Same QB is about the only thing that holds water here, and who knows for how much longer on that QB front.

I wouldn't worry about this becoming a career RZ thing enough to give him the "Julio 2.0" moniker - though I wouldn't mind you giving it to him if that was truly his career path. Nobody here would be turning down multiple 1K seasons + Pro Bowls...

[Pac_Eddy]

The red zone targets is a concern for me. Not so much for Pitts the player, but the coaching staff. If I were them, I'd be designing plays to get him the ball there and do it frequently.

[YouMightDieTryin]

He's Julio 2.0. How many seasons did he do this same exact thing to him? A monster between the 20s, but unknown inside. Unless it's a forced toss up ball that'll be under thrown or out of bounds.

Hmmm. Different player, different coaching staff. Same uniforms and Same QB is about the only thing that holds water here, and who knows for how much longer on that QB front.

I wouldn't worry about this becoming a career RZ thing enough to give him the "Julio 2.0" moniker - though I wouldn't mind you giving it to him if that was truly his career path. Nobody here would be turning down multiple 1K seasons + Pro Bowls...

In terms of usage he's Julio 2.0. I agree it's different (everything) besides a QB, but same outcome. Julio had 10 TD's in 2012...his next highest season is 8 (3 times) after that the numbers are dismal. Perhaps it's Matt Ryan's fault for red zone inefficiency, but when you have players of that caliber they need to be utilized properly.

[RheinlandChief]

Matt Ryans time is over. At least thats what I'm thinking from week to week when I see him.
With a new QB it could be better.
But the RZ-sheme seems to be wanted but I have no clue why.
Maybe the think, that the opponent is waiting for a target to Pitts and so they want to surprise them. Well... it's not working.

I hope, next season will be better for Pitts...

[Anteaters]

A big question to be answer is WHO will QB Atlanta next year. Even if we agree Ryan will be gone (and that is not guaranteed) and even if we agree Ryan is the QB that has made Pitts look good in yardage and bad in TDs, there is no sure bet that the 2022 QB will be better than Ryan has been this season.

Look at all the 2021 rookies. Check out their production. Aside from Mac Jones, not one has performed in a manner that would make me feel good if they were to be Atlanta's 2022 QB. Seriously, who has faith that Lance/Fields/Wilson would be better for Pitts than Ryan? Even TL has looked very pedestrian so far. And the 2022 rookie QBs are projected to be worse than the 2021 QBs.

So if it's not going to be a 2022 rookie to the rescue for Pitts, what veteran rental might end up in Atlanta? First, let's eliminate the hot shots (Rodgers/Russ/Watson) because none of them want to go to the Falcons. And let's be up front and say no other QB that might be available as a FA or via trade is likely to be better than Ryan.

Cam Newton and Goff look like sure bets to be available. Maybe Bridgewater and Tyrod. I guess the potential best free agent for Pitts might be Winston, but I'd be a little (not a lot, just a little) surprised to see Atlanta pay Ryan for a dead cap season and bring in a QB as iffy as Winston.

The most likely scenario is Atlanta drafts a promising rookie QB (if one is available) and keeps Ryan as a bridge. But even then, we'd be wise to remember that not every young QB becomes Burrow or Herbert. There's a lot of chaff in that bag. My bet is Pitts will have Ryan or someone worse throwing him the ball in 2022.

[jenkins.math]

I'm more concerned about the weapons around Pitts than I am who is throwing him the ball. Teams are just rolling coverages and putting multiple defenders on him virtually every play. Hopefully Ridley comes back and they add another receiving threat to at least make defenses think about someone else.

[mild]

I'm more concerned about the weapons around Pitts than I am who is throwing him the ball. Teams are just rolling coverages and putting multiple defenders on him virtually every play. Hopefully Ridley comes back and they add another receiving threat to at least make defenses think about someone else.

It's this. It's hard to be targeted in the Red Zone when you're being bracketed on every snap. Even Kelce struggles with that... but at least that means Tyreek is eating somewhere else. Opponents aren't punished for bracketing Atlanta right now.

Pitts 2022 QB is still Matt Ryan, no need for additional hand wringing on that front. A quick look at the contract is all you need to tell that story.

Let's hope he can be better in 2022, hopefully with more reinforcements.

[ThunderTung]

I'm more concerned about the weapons around Pitts than I am who is throwing him the ball. Teams are just rolling coverages and putting multiple defenders on him virtually every play. Hopefully Ridley comes back and they add another receiving threat to at least make defenses think about someone else.

It's this. It's hard to be targeted in the Red Zone when you're being bracketed on every snap. Even Kelce struggles with that... but at least that means Tyreek is eating somewhere else. Opponents aren't punished for bracketing Atlanta right now.

Pitts 2022 QB is still Matt Ryan, no need for additional hand wringing on that front. A quick look at the contract is all you need to tell that story.

Let's hope he can be better in 2022, hopefully with more reinforcements.

Assuming Ridley gets his head right, and maybe they can hit on another WR or something in the draft that offense could take off again

[wickerkat1212]

From an article here at DLF.

Kyle Pitts ends season with one score
Kyle Pitts - TE, ATL
Kyle Pitts had 68 catches for 1,026 yards and one touchdown in his rookie season.

Dynasty Analysis

The lack of touchdowns is likely going to overshadow what was otherwise a sparkling rookie season that saw Pitts become the first tight end with 1,000 yards in a season since Mike Ditka did it in 1961. While the lack of touchdowns stunted his overall fantasy scoring, it's clear there are brighter days ahead for the Falcons young star. There is now a debate between Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews as to who should be the TE1. Any could make the case and each would be no-brainer starts for the foreseeable future.

[mild]

I like the other thread that said he was a waste of a 1st round pick more.

This one is fine, I guess.

[Anteaters]

For the record, in 1961 Ditka averaged 76.9ypg. In 2021, Pitts averaged 60.4. In other words, Ditka averaged 27% more ypg than Pitts.

Not to mention Ditka had 12 TDs in his rookie season. That's 12 times what Pitts did. There really is no comparison between the two rookie seasons.

Pitts had a great rookie TE season, but it's a reach to call him the next Ditka!!!!!!!

EDIT: This is tongue-in-cheek, hopefully obviously. While I maintain Pitts was no better than the 4th/5th best 2021 dynasty draftee, he was definitely worth a mid-to-late 1st. Without a doubt. Congrats to all those who drafted him and are happy to have him!

[Blueboy]

For the record, in 1961 Ditka averaged 76.9ypg. In 2021, Pitts averaged 60.4. In other words, Ditka averaged 27% more ypg than Pitts.

Not to mention Ditka had 12 TDs in his rookie season. That's 12 times what Pitts did. There really is no comparison between the two rookie seasons.

Pitts had a great rookie TE season, but it's a reach to call him the next Ditka!!!!!!!

EDIT: This is tongue-in-cheek, hopefully obviously. While I maintain Pitts was no better than the 4th/5th best 2021 dynasty draftee, he was definitely worth a mid-to-late 1st. Without a doubt. Congrats to all those who drafted him and are happy to have him!

I know you're kidding around, so this isn't directed at you in any way, but the last few months of NFL media constantly bringing up the Ditka thing has been maybe the most annoying of their habits. We need a petition to just... stop comparing stats from the 60s to modern-day stats, no matter the context.

[Mjvb5]

For the record, in 1961 Ditka averaged 76.9ypg. In 2021, Pitts averaged 60.4. In other words, Ditka averaged 27% more ypg than Pitts.

Not to mention Ditka had 12 TDs in his rookie season. That's 12 times what Pitts did. There really is no comparison between the two rookie seasons.

Pitts had a great rookie TE season, but it's a reach to call him the next Ditka!!!!!!!

EDIT: This is tongue-in-cheek, hopefully obviously. While I maintain Pitts was no better than the 4th/5th best 2021 dynasty draftee, he was definitely worth a mid-to-late 1st. Without a doubt. Congrats to all those who drafted him and are happy to have him!

I know you're kidding around, so this isn't directed at you in any way, but the last few months of NFL media constantly bringing up the Ditka thing has been maybe the most annoying of their habits. We need a petition to just... stop comparing stats from the 60s to modern-day stats, no matter the context.

Lol for real, it's not like ya know the second most passing yards that year was under 3000 when he did that or anything.

[Pullo Vision]

It’s worth noting that Pitts is really only a tight end in terms of his positional designation. Only Mike Gesicki (92%) and (conveniently) Firkser (87%) ran a higher percentage of their routes from the slot or out wide than Pitts (80%) last season.

This usage created a bit of a dilemma for defenses in terms of who they wanted to even guard Pitts with. He ultimately wound up seeing 53 targets with a primary cornerback in coverage compared to 51 against a safety or linebacker. Pitts posted rather mediocre averages of 2.29 yards per route run (No. 62) and 0.27 targets per route run (No. 78) against cornerbacks compared to 2.57 yards per route run (No. 14) and 0.24 targets per route run (No. 53) against safeties and linebackers.

Pitts led all tight ends in yards per route run with a cornerback as his primary coverage defender but ranked 62nd when including wide receivers.