Kyle Pitts returns to ESPN rankings of NFL's top-10 tight ends

[ASFN Admin]

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has had an up-and-down kind of career so far since entering the NFL. The former No. 4 overall pick showed great potential as a rookie, posting a career-high 1,026 receiving yards. He only scored one touchdown, though, and his production the next three years was a bit disappointing for a top-five pick.

Last season, Pitts appeared to have a breakthrough, totaling a new career-best 88 catches, 928 yards and five touchdowns. The Falcons seem to believe that he's ready to dominate and live up to his potential, rewarding Pitts with a three-year extension worth up to $54 million.

Pitts has also gotten recognition from executives around the league, who have voted him one of the NFL's top-10 tight ends on ESPN's annual list. Pitts came in at No. 8 this year after going unranked in 2025.

"This is a welcome return to form for Pitts, who entered the league with much fanfare in 2021, posted a 1,000-yard rookie season and then experienced multiple down years. A nagging knee injury cost him the better part of two seasons... 'If he's confident and you believe in him, he will ball out," an NFL coordinator said. "If he gets involved early, he can be the most dominant player on the field.'"

From the top, the seven tight ends who were ranked ahead of him are Brock Bowers of the Raiders, Trey McBridge of the Cardinals, 49ers star George Kittle, Sam LaPorta of the Lions, Tyler Warren from the Colts, Tucker Kraft from the Packers and Colston Loveland of the Bears. Veterans Mark Andrews (Ravens) and Travis Kelce (Chiefs) rounded out the top 10.

Looking ahead, Pitts should still project as the Falcons' No. 2 option in the passing game after Drake London, the team having invested no more than a third-round draft pick and a couple of cheap veterans in free agency at wide receiver.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Kyle Pitts returns to ESPN rankings of NFL's top-10 tight ends

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