Kyle Pitts has been, if not the most, then one of the top disappointing fantasy football players since his second year in the NFL. Pitts was considered an elite NFL tight end prospect and an elite prospect overall. Pitts ended the 2024 campaign with a very disappointing overall PPR TE15 finish. Back in February, we wrote up about how much of a fantasy conundrum Kyle Pitts has been the last few years. Every year, one of the constant questions that comes up is, Is this the year of the Kyle Pitts’ breakout?
Ex Top-Five Pick Looks to Finally Breakout
Pitts’ Fantasy Numbers Are Not As Bad as Portrayed
When I looked into the fantasy data on Pitts back in February, it did not paint a good picture of his outlook for this upcoming season. Pitts showed regression. His yards per route run decreased every year since 2021. Pitt’s usage rate began to shrink last year as the season progressed. He played 75.8% of the offensive snaps in weeks one through seven. From week eight on, he played just 52.3%. His season high came in week one at 96%, and in his last four games, he had a mere 44% snap rate.
However, as we began to prepare and construct our 2025 fantasy draft boards, which we repeatedly state should already be in motion, Pitts has been a decent fantasy player. Just maybe the bar was set too high for him. As we look at the entire fantasy picture on Pitts, the numbers are better than expected. In hindsight, Pitts was overvalued or over hyped coming into the 2021 NFL draft.
Since entering the league in 2021, amongst tight ends, Pitts is top 10 in targets, receiving yards, and first down catches. He is top 16 in receptions, fantasy points, and fantasy points per game. In 2021, he was TE11, in 2022 he was TE20 but was hurt, and in 2023 he was TE15. Again, these are not the numbers you drafted him for in fantasy, but he is not the bust the fantasy community portrays him to be.
Where Do We Draft Pitts This Season?
Let me be clear, in past seasons, I have been one to draft Kyle Pitts on my fantasy teams. I again am torn on what to do in 2025, but there are a few things to consider. First off, Pitts is in line to be the second option in the Atlanta Falcons’ passing game behind Drake London. The data has told us that Pitts is a target hound within the tight end position.
Next, Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is a disciple of Sean McVay. We still have faith in him to utilize Pitts despite the TE15 finish in 2024. Next, the price tag on Pitts is much less risky than in past seasons. Currently, he going off best ball draft boards as the TE17 with an ADP of 147. In a recent underdog draft, I was able to get Pitts in the 12th round at pick 137. He is worth the risk at that price tag and has a chance to outperform his ADP. There is a path, and it’s in the range of outcomes for Pitts to finish as a TE1 in 2025!
Main Photo: [Dale Zanine] – USA Today Sports