Where has this gone wrong? Our Bob McGinn talks to scouts and execs across the NFL to figure out why the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft has been nothing but average.
This is the continuation of a 2023 series looking at active players and their current situation vis a vis what it was entering the NFL draft. The comments from personnel men were made in the months leading up to the draft for my NFL Draft Series, which dates to 1985. Scouting football prospects is an inexact science, particularly when it comes to off-the-field considerations. It has been said that no two evaluators view a player exactly the same way.
By Bob McGinn
Kyle Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end in the 58 years of the common draft, is no more than a middle-of-the-pack performer at his position four seasons into his career.
“One of the biggest disappointments I have ever scouted,” an executive with 20-plus seasons of NFL personnel work said this week. “Some flashes, but rarely regularly involved in the offense. Seems to go through the motions, almost disinterested. Definitely a bust based on expectations and who they passed up.”
With wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, tackle Penei Sewell, cornerback Patrick Surtain and linebacker Micah Parsons available, the Atlanta Falcons used the No. 4 overall selection on Pitts in 2021 convinced he would become an all-time tight end.
On Thursday, Falcons coach Raheem Morris acknowledged the reality of the situation by conceding Pitts was “not like a volume catcher” and pigeon-holed him as a “big-play receiver, a big-play tight end.” As a blocker, scout say he’s serviceable, at best.
As a rookie, Pitts made contested catches, totaled 68 receptions for a 15.1-yard average and made the Pro Bowl despite scoring just one touchdown. In the past three seasons, including 2022 when he missed seven games due to injury, Pitts hasn’t had a single 100-yard game. His lack of production — two catches for 23 yards in the last three games — has left personnel people around the league shaking their collective heads.
“Every time I watch Atlanta I don’t know that Pitts is on the team,” said one scout. “That befuddles me. I loved the guy when he came out. I mean, I would have taken him. I think anybody would have taken him at the time. Pitts was the guy who had all the upside to be a superstar.
“He’s a disappointment, a major disappointment. It’s like anything. You draft a player. You have high hopes. Boom.”
