Scouting Report

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Every few years a generational talent comes in to the NFL, but it’s been a while since a known generational tight end has entered the draft. Guys like George Kittle and Travis Kelce have developed into future hall of famers; however, they weren’t nearly as polished coming out of college. Kyle Pitts is polished, he’s generational, and he might have the greatest potential out of any player in this draft. Pitts can play both wide out and tight end, he can be used as both a receiver and blocker, and he’s going to be a top ten pick in this year’s draft. 

Kyle Pitts is the biggest play maker in this year’s draft. He has the ability to completely take over a game. He can get in the zone where he is just unstoppable. When in the zone, not a player on this earth can guard him. While he isn’t a receiver, he has a catch radius that is on par with Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson. His ball skills are just so pure and natural. His ability to just pluck balls out of the air makes him a matchup nightmare and if a DB can’t get his hands on Pitts he will make you pay. Pitts is a tough player, he makes catches while being hit and plays through contact. There could be two guys holding Pitts, but he will still find a way to come down with the ball. For a tight end, Pitts is a really good route runner and he’s also patient. As I mentioned earlier, nobody can guard Kyle Pitts one on one, he was even able to get busy against Jaycee Horn, the number one corner in the draft. Pitts can be an inline blocker, he can line up as a big slot, and as the X receiver out wide. He is a freak of nature in the red zone and he makes more contested catches than any other player in this year’s draft. Kyle Pitts has both a high ceiling and a high floor.

I love Kyle Pitts’ effort on his blocking, he always gives it his all and he is able to seal a block. While his effort is great, his strength is not on par with the elite blocking tight ends in the NFL. He isn’t the type of player to pancake a dude unless he catches the defender off guard. Blocking all starts with your feet, and his footwork is underdeveloped. Pitts is capable of holding a block for about two seconds, but the defender eventually breaks loose. Another place where he is underdeveloped as a blocker is when pulling. Overall, Pitts might need to add some strength if he wants to be an elite blocker at the next level; however, the effort is there and so is the potential.

As a player who can be both a receiver and tight end, Pitts reminds me a lot of both Shannon Sharpe and Darren Waller. The coach can practically line Pitts up anywhere and he’ll find a way to succeed. Pitts is one of, if not the best player in this draft. A perfect landing spot for him is with the Chargers; however, there is no chance he makes it to number 13. LA would have to trade up into the top ten for him, maybe with a team like the Lions. While the Eagles did just trade back, they would also be a good landing spot for Pitts. Nick Sirianni would be able to use a lot of two tight end sets and use both him and Dallas Goedert in the same offense. If Pitts is able to put on some more muscle, we could legitimately be talking about the next Shannon Sharpe. Pitts has a hall of fame ceiling and I think he’ll be a top ten tight end from day one in the NFL.