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Falcons urged to trade tight end Kyle Pitts in new feature from ESPN
The Atlanta Falcons have plenty to be excited about as they prepare for the start of training camp next month. The offense is loaded with talent, and the defense addressed its two biggest weaknesses at edge rusher and defensive back over the offseason.
With that said, there’s still time for general manager Terry Fontenot to make another move. The Falcons have two players who have been the subject of trade rumors pretty much all offseason. Veteran Kirk Cousins, who lost his starting job to Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, has a pretty big cap hit for a backup quarterback.
The other potential trade candidate is tight end Kyle Pitts. The former No. 4 overall pick is entering the last year of his contract and possibly his last season in Atlanta. Despite an impressive rookie season, Pitts has been criticized for his average production over the last three years.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz proposed one final offseason move for all 32 NFL teams. For the Falcons, Schatz suggested the team trade Pitts before the 2025 season begins.
Pitts has never matched the heights of his 1,026-yard rookie season, nor has he matched expectations as the No. 4 overall pick. It’s very unlikely that the Falcons extend or re-sign him after the 2025 season, so perhaps the best thing is to get some value for him now and let him see what he can do with a change of scenery.
The Jets might be an interesting landing spot for Pitts, as he could play next to rookie Mason Taylor in two-TE sets. The Giants could also use an upgrade at the position. Even the Eagles might be an interesting trade target, as Dallas Goedert is now 30 years old. — Aaron Schatz, ESPN
While there is certainly a case to be made for trading Pitts, the team would have to get a decent return for the move to be worth it. Even if Pitts hasn’t produced like one of the top five tight ends, he’s still middle-of-the-road starter with elite physical traits.
If the team simply targets him a bit more in 2025, which many expect with Michael Penix Jr. taking over at quarterback, Pitts could be a valuable contributor. At worst, he opens things up for Atlanta’s other weapons. By trading Pitts, the Falcons would have to find another starting-caliber tight end before the season starts.
Charlie Woerner is as good of a blocking tight end as you’ll find in the league, but his upside as a receiver is limited. While fans may be sick of hearing about Pitts’ upside, he is still just 24 years old — the same age as Penix — and has shown he can produce when the quarterback play is up to par.
For now, our money is on Pitts staying in Atlanta. However, if the Falcons get a decent offer, all bets are off.
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