Atlanta Falcons select Kyle Pitts in 2021 NFL Draft: Grading the Pick

The Atlanta Falcons stayed put and grabbed essentially the best prospect in college football outside of Trevor Lawrence in Florida’s Kyle Pitts. Grading the Pick.

The Atlanta Falcons know that sometimes the best move is the one that is never made, and it paid off with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. The former Gator was among the 2021 NFL Draft‘s elite prospects and now joins the Falcons, hoping to provide a spark to Arthur Smith’s offense.

Atlanta has needs on both sides of the ball, but grabbing a prospect like Pitts is an opportunity that was too good to pass up. Additionally, Matt Ryan needs a security blanket that he has not had since Austin Hooper departed from Atlanta and became a reliable target for Baker Mayfield and the Browns.

After three teams decided to select their potential franchise quarterbacks at the top of the draft, the Falcons grabbed arguably, the best college prospect. That deserves a high grade.

Grade for the Atlanta Falcons selecting Kyle Pitts at No. 4 in the 2021 NFL Draft.

There is no question that Atlanta will have to have to find a replacement for Ryan eventually. At the same time, while he wears the jersey, why not get him a weapon with high potential? In this case, that would mean Pitts.

When Coach Smith ran the offense in Tennessee, he was fortunate to have Jonnu Smith take some of the pressure off Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. In Atlanta, Smith knows that with Julio Jones’ situation up in the air, Ryan will need a target to use in a division that houses the defending Super Bowl Champions in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Atlanta did not have to do anything except stay where they are and reap the benefits that fell into their lap. Now, it’s all about utilizing his ability to its fullest and bringing the spark back to the Falcons offense.