Kyle Pitts is expected to be one of the main beneficiaries of Kirk Cousins’ $180 million move to the Atlanta Falcons, but just what to expect is anyone’s guess. Forgetting the risks of giving such a contract to an aging QB (36 this season) recovering from an Achilles tear, the hype around the Falcons is building, albeit with some confusion following the NFL draft.
Pitts was willing to give up the No. 8 jersey to Cousins, and his price for doing so was simple: More targets. This really sums up Pitts’ time in the NFL, as the obviously talented TE has been a much-underused weapon on offense. Now, Cousins is set to wear No. 18 in Atlanta, which has been a source of wry amusement for fans.
As for fantasy drafts this year, Pitts is not going to be among the first tight ends off the board, and realistically, you should be able to wait a long time before taking him. There’s been hype around him every year since he entered the league and simply put, he hasn’t been targeted enough to warrant being your TE1. Pitts is well worth picking up as a bench option/streamer, and while he could be one of the stories of the season, he needs to prove it on the field first.
Kyle Pitts’ 2024 NFL fantasy outlook: What numbers to expect from the Falcons TE?
This largely comes down to whether you believe Kirk Cousins (outside odds on Michael Penix Jr.) and new HC Raheem Morris are going to revolutionize the Falcons’ offense, and if you think Kyle Pitts is going to be a big part of that. It seems unrealistic to expect Atlanta to be on fire from Week 1 and be among the best teams in the NFL. A playoff spot is very possible, as is winning the NFC South, and it will be interesting to see how far they can go.
In his three seasons in the league, Pitts has accrued a total of 2,049 yards and 6 TDs, a very disappointing stat line that he is certainly aware of. In 2023, Pitts went for 667 yards and 3 TDs, and the consensus is that this had more to do with coaching and QB play than anything on his part.
Presuming Cousins stays healthy, it is fair to expect a lot more from Kyle Pitts in 2024. Looking at the way Cousins utilized T.J. Hokenson in Minnesota certainly bodes well, as does the coaching change. Cousins and Hockenson combined for 113 catches, 997 yards and 6 TDs in 18 games together, which feels like high-end individual targets for Pitts in 2024.
It’s reasonable to expect a better Falcons offense, and those improvements will result in better numbers for all their offensive weapons, especially WR Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Pitts will be wanting to break 850 yards and 6 TDs, and this feels very plausible, presuming everyone stays healthy.
Other projections you might also like include: Derrick Henry, Diontae Johnson and Jalen Hurts.