Falcons select TE Kyle Pitts, Fantasy Impact

The NFL Draft finally saw a non-quarterback go off the board Thursday at the No. 4 overall pick, with the Atlanta Falcons opting for Florida TE Kyle Pitts.

(Check out the FTN Kyle Pitts scouting report here.)

Pitts, a unanimous All-American in 2020 and the John Mackey Award winner for the nation’s top tight end, should immediately displace incumbent starter Hayden Hurst atop the Falcons’ depth chart. Tight ends notoriously take time to develop in the NFL, but Pitts — who had 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in only eight games in 2020 — is as close to a wide receiver as a rookie tight end can reasonably be these days. Running alongside Julio Jones (assuming he isn’t traded) and Calvin Ridley, Pitts gives the Falcons arguably the best group of pass-catchers in the league for 2021. He’ll be a borderline fantasy starter with an elite-of-the-elite ceiling right away, and he’s an easy TE1 for dynasty purposes. — Daniel Kelley

(Follow along with every pick in the FTN Draft Tracker.)