4/29/2021 football Edit

Kyle Pitts picked No. 4 in 2021 NFL Draft

Nick de la Torre • 1standTenFlorida

Staff

No tight end has ever been taken as high as Kyle Pitts was but Pitts' ability transcends a positional label. He's a unicorn, as his tight end coach Tim Brewster would say.

The Atlanta Falcons recognized that Pitts is a generational talent, didn't get caught it in positional tags, or even roster needs, and made history, selecting Pitts fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

“I'm definitely humbled. It's a dream come true to even get drafted. To be top five, that's something special," Pitts said. "The first tight end (to be selected that high), I mean, I don't even know how to put it into words. I'm just elated with joy. I can't even put into words how excited I am.”

Pitts announced his presence in the Gators' first game. Pitts hauled in eight passes for 170 yards and four touchdowns against the Ole Miss Rebels. He tallied eight touchdowns through the first four and a half games before a hit — that was ruled a targeting penalty — broke his nose and forced him to miss two games. Still, Pitts finished the season with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 scores. He was considered the best player in the draft not named Trevor Lawrence and was the first non-quarterback taken in the draft.

"He's the ultimate matchup nightmare,'' ESPN draft analyst Louis Riddick said Thursday night on the draft telecast. "In a league predicated on winning matchups, he's the prototype. As a former defensive back, I would be scared to death to cover this guy."

"While the player comparison for the purposes of this scouting report is Darren Waller, Pitts may have the traits and talent to create mismatches similar to those created by Calvin Johnson and Tyreek Hill. His rare blend of size, athleticism and ball skills are reminiscent of Megatron's. His ability as a pass-catching tight end could force defenses in his division to alter the way they construct their roster. He's a tough matchup for most linebackers and too big for most cornerbacks. He offers offensive coordinators the ability to align him all over the field and, like Waller, can become a highly targeted, highly productive pass catcher from the tight end position. He puts in effort as a blocker but with limited success. That's not what makes him special, though. Along with Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Pitts has a chance to become the biggest game-changer in the 2021 NFL Draft."

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com