NFL Draft Notebook: Why Kyle Pitts will win Rookie of the Year and more

This week is playmaker week at NFL Mocks and there is no bigger playmaker in this year’s rookie class than Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. This playmaking ability and the fact he is an ideal situation in Atlanta makes him my early favorite to win Rookie of the Year this season.

Along with taking a look at Kyle Pitts chances of being one of the most dominant rookies in the NFL, this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also take a look at the deep tight end class in the 2022 NFL Draft and highlights the following

• A tight end with little production is one of the bigger sleepers in the 2022 NFL Draft
• A million-dollar decision Nevada tight end Cole Turner made last year
•  What area of Jalen Wydermyer’s game might force him to fall in the draft
• How the 2021 NFL rookie tight ends are fitting in with their new team
• And much more

Rookie of the Year

The last tight end to win Rookie of the Year was Mike Ditka in 1961, however, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts might change that this year. Going into the season Pitts is considered by some 8-1 odds to win this award, which are fabulous odds considering Pitts will be one of the Atlanta Falcons’ primary targets this season and plays in an offense that loves to throw the ball to its tight ends.

Pitts will be counted on to be an even bigger part of the Atlanta Falcons offense now than when they used the fourth pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. This is due to the trade the team recently made sending seven-time Pro Bowler Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans. This move will likely make Pitts the team’s second-most targeted receiver behind Calvin Ridley.

Another thing working in Kyle Pitts favor is he is playing for a coach who loves to use the tight end in Arthur Smith. Only one team used more 12 personnel than Smith did last year when he was with the Titans so getting him on the field should not be an issue. Smith has also stated that the team views Pitts as an offensive weapon and will use him in a variety of different ways. This should allow Pitts to see time as an in-line tight end, H-back, receiver, and possibly even some time at fullback.

Kyle Pitts also has the talent to take advantage of these opportunities. Last season, at Florida, Pitts led all FBS tight ends in receiving yards with 770 and touchdowns with 12. He also did not have a single drop on the season showing he has the natural receiving skills to quickly gain a quarterback’s confidence.

The biggest threat to Kyle Pitts to win this award is Trevor Lawrence who is the current favorite to win this award. Unfortunately, for Lawrence though, he has a much worse supporting cast as the Jaguars’ only proven receiver is Marvin Jones. In addition to not having much talent around him, Lawrence is playing for a coach who is more of a run-first coach. Due to all these factors, the smart money should definitely be on Pitts to be named the 2021 NFL Rookie of the Year.