Kyle Pitts emerges as trade candidate ahead of NFL Draft after Adam Schefter report

Kyle Pitts emerges as trade candidate ahead of NFL Draft after Adam Schefter report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Trade speculation surrounding Kyle Pitts is heating up at a pivotal time for the Atlanta Falcons.

One of the NFL media industry’s most trusted insiders, Adam Schefter, added fuel to the conversation Monday by identifying Pitts as a player to watch on the trade market ahead of Thursday night’s NFL Draft. When Schefter speaks, front offices—and the rest of the league—tend to listen.

Pitts, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, entered the league with rare expectations for a tight end. His combination of size, speed and receiving ability made him one of the most unique prospects at the position in years. He delivered immediately, recording 68 receptions for 1,026 yards as a rookie, becoming just the second rookie tight end in NFL history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards.

Since then, production has been more uneven. Across his first four NFL seasons, Pitts has totaled over 2,600 receiving yards and more than 150 receptions, though injuries and inconsistency at quarterback have contributed to fluctuating numbers year to year. While he has shown flashes of dominance, Atlanta has yet to consistently maximize his skill set in the passing game.

Now, as the Falcons continue to reshape their roster and identity, Pitts’ name surfacing in trade conversations signals a potential shift in direction. While he remains one of the most physically gifted tight ends in the league, Atlanta may be weighing whether his value on the market exceeds his role within the current offense.