2021 NFL Draft tight end rankings: Kyle Pitts leads the way
By John Blair
The 2021 NFL Draft class of tight ends is just an average group, with only one player earning a first-round grade. That player is Florida’s Kyle Pitts who has a chance to be one of the highest-drafted tight ends in NFL history. Pitts is impressive, but he is not the only tight end in the class who can make an impact at the next level. Follow along as we rank the top tight end prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
1. Kyle Pitts, Florida
6-foot-6, 246 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts was one of the biggest playmakers in college football last season. On the year, he accounted for 43 receptions for 770 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He also averaged an impressive 17.9 yards per catch. His impressive year allowed him to finish 10th in Heisman Trophy voting which is the highest any tight end has finished in the past 43 years. He also had a strong 2019 season when he caught 54 passes for 649 yards.
The biggest positive with Pitts is his outstanding ability as a receiver. He shows impressive hands and in fact, was the only player with over 65 targets to not drop a single ball according to Pro Football Focus. To go along with his impressive hands he shows outstanding body control and can easily twist his body into a position to make the catch. He also has the speed to get deep and be a threat in all areas of the passing game.
Kyle Pitts: only player in college football with zero drops on 65+ targets 🐊🙌 pic.twitter.com/UP9UTB2WrF
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) February 9, 2021
Even though Pitts is a willing blocker who gives good effort he doesn’t have the strength to hold up in this area. He is routinely overpowered by defenders and will be a liability in this area in the NFL. His lack of physicality also shows up as a receiver, as he is not going to outmuscle a defender for the ball.
While some people are projecting Pitts to be a top-10 pick this is too high for my liking for a couple of reasons. The first one being that he is not a complete tight end and is more of just an oversized receiver who plays tight end. I also worry about the lack of success tight ends have had that were drafted in the top-10 over the past 20 years. There have only been four such players and none of them have been named an All-Pro.
While Kyle Pitts is being projected as a top-five pick it is interesting to see the other TEs who have been drafted in the top 10 in the last 20 years. They are Kellen Winslow Vernon Davis, Eric Ebron, and T.J. Hockenson. Not great company as none have been All-Pro.
— John Blair (@johnblairjunior) February 14, 2021
With that being said I do think he would be a great pick in the middle of the first round, and if used properly could develop into one of the better tight ends in the NFL.