3 potential replacements for Falcons TE Kyle Pitts in free agency

The biggest fireworks that Atlanta Falcons fans may get treated to this weekend will either come via trade, or not at all. Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, Atlanta has just five picks total and won't be on the clock until No. 48 overall.

Obviously, a trade down or two may be in the cards given GM Ian Cunningham's comments - but Day 3 picks tend not to make headlines.Trading a former top-five overall pick does, though, and that might be on the menu for the Falcons.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, tight end Kyle Pitts is on his list of potential trade candidates during the draft. If Cunningham can find a buyer for Pitts then the Falcons will obviously be in the business of looking for a new starting tight end.

Here are three veteran free agents they might consider if they don't want to spend draft capital at this spot.

Zach Ertz

Long one of the NFL's best pass-catching tight ends, Ertz has enjoyed a career resurgence in Washington over the last two years, totaling 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns. That's his best two-year stretch since his prime with the Eagles. Now 35 years old, Ertz couldn't be considered a long-term option. The three-time Pro Bowler clearly still has something left in the tank, though, and should come relatively cheap.

Jonnu Smith

The next-best option on the (very short) list of veteran tight ends who aren't ancient, injured or scrubs is Jonnu Smith, a former third-round pick by the Titans. In a remarkable 144 career games split between five teams, Smith has put up 345 catches, 3,529 yards and 30 touchdowns. Perhaps even more remarkably, Smith just turned 30 and can still produce in the right offense. In 2024 with he posted 88 catches, 884 yards and eight touchdowns.