The Atlanta Falcons Blog – Why Kyle Pitts might be back for another special season with the Atlanta Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Kyle Pitts Breaks off the line during an individual rep Atlanta Falcons Training camp practice. Stutter-steps for one second, then accelerates.

Mykal WalkerPitts, a fast linebacker, was not going to have any chance. Walker had already recovered and Pitts was on his path to a simple reception. During training camp, Atlanta’s star tight end has done this to almost every defender.

He has been dominant in drills and shaken down defenders in team periods, leading to wide open catch opportunities and throwing the ball high after each touchdown. For as good as Pitts was in his first yearHe was also the first rookie tightend in 60-years to pass 1,000 yards (he had 1,026) and the rookie tight end to make Pro Bowl since 2002. It was obvious that there could be significant growth.

It was too obvious. The No. The No. 4 draft pick in 2021 could overwhelm opponents at points last season — although that was still while Pitts was learning more about the professional game.

“For a guy his size (6-6, 246), his catch radius, his length, his ability to get in-and-out of cuts, makes it easy on us,” quarterback Marcus Mariota said.

“Us” could be the quarterbacks. After trading a veteran Pitts, Mariota is Pitts’ new quarterback. Matt Ryan To Indianapolis in March. His coaches, his teammates or other tight ends could be involved. There is no defense to stop him.

While Pitts and Mariota are still learning each other, there’s potential for this fit in second-year coach Arthur Smith’s offense. In Tennessee, three of tight end Delanie Walker’s four best seasons were with Mariota at quarterback, including his only 1,000-yard season, in 2015.

But Pitts’ talent is scheme-agnostic. He’d be good anywhere and with anyone. Atlanta’s coaches saw that during Pitts’ rookie year, when Smith said multiple times he felt his tight end was only “scratching the surface” of what he could become.

Pitts was aware of it too. He took the offseason and dug in on sharpening his route-running when he wasn’t learning to play golf. He’s more confident now, too.

“He’s a different breed this year,” Walker said. “His release this year … it’s unbelievable.”

Walker will try to get physical when he’s trying to defend a tight end. With Pitts, he can’t because Pitts is too fast off the line and also good with his hands. Where other tight ends have room for defenders to make mistakes so they can recover, Pitts doesn’t allow that.

If you miss with your hands, you’re done for on the play.

“So you have to be patient,” Walker said. “And with that timing like that, he’s able to manipulate the way you play him. He’s able to get that space, that separation when he needs it. That’s something I think he improved a whole lot from last year.”

If a defender is able and willing to stay with him, safetyties Richie Grant And Jaylinn Hawkins Sometimes, it is noticeable and noticeable in practice. It’s clear Pitts is the best offensive player the Falcons have and maybe their best player, period.

All this in a span of one year.

“The game,” Pitts said. “Has slowed down. Just a tad.”

Everything has become more familiar for Pitts. He’s more comfortable talking with the media — last season, his answers were short and clipped — and showing his personality. It might not seem like much, but it’s all part of the maturation process — or, as Pitts said, “adulting.”

Somewhere – he wouldn’t divulge the location – Pitts has his goals written down that he looks at often. He still seems to be annoyed by the fact that he only scored one touchdown last year. It’s part of his motivation, along with improving his leadership and the on-field progression he worked to create.

“What we asked him to do, especially at that position, we hoped there would be a leap in Year 2,” Smith said. “He had a good rookie year and I love the way he’s working. I like his mindset.”

Smith knows that there have been many instances in NFL history when players look great at training camp, but fall apart once the games start. Yet there’s a cautious optimism there of what Pitts – still 21 years old – could become this season.

It also includes his preparation. This season, he’s back to having his schedule in his locker – similar to the color-coded breakdown he had during his final year at Florida to help him remain organized and on-task – and he’s focused on keeping a strict regimen.

He has not strayed far from his thoughts since his last season at Florida where he won the SEC and was a top-five selection.

“I’ve been trying to take that step into a more mature role,” Pitts said. “And get back to how I was feeling when I was feeling like I was on top of the world.

“To get back to that feeling is something I’m trying.”

He’s on the right track judging by how Pitts has been moving, shaking off defenders, and making progress in his second camp.