Kyle Pitts made history when he was selected fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, taken higher than any tight end before or since.
Pitts made more history when he became just the second tight end to tally 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie.
Since then, however, Pitts has become an enigma, his production waning no matter the play-caller or quarterback.
He has arrived at the final year of his rookie contract with plenty to prove for the 2025 Atlanta Falcons.
"He's always going to have the added pressure because of how high he was drafted, right?" Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said this week at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, via the team website’s Terrin Waack. "So, we want to be able to get the young man out there and be the best version of him. We'll always make the right decision for the Falcons, and we'll always make the right decision for us in order to get him going. We'll have to figure those things out."
Still just 24 until October, Pitts had 68 receptions for 1,026 yards as a rookie, but those numbers remain his career bests after four seasons. The rookie Pro Bowler had a career-high four touchdowns last year, but his overall line of 47 catches for 602 yards and the four TDs is hardly much to get excited about, especially for a former No. 4 pick.
His yards were 13th among TEs, his catches tied for 21st and his touchdowns tied for 11th. With initial hopes out of Florida that Pitts would be the elite tight end in the NFL, he’s not even among them.
Still, the Falcons picked up his fifth-year option for this season, making it a make-or-break year for Pitts in Atlanta.
"Look, Kyle's a really talented player," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. "He's done some really good things. Man, you can make a highlight tape and see all the good things that he's done."
Big plays for Pitts come and go, serving as reminders of what could be, but the consistent success has been lacking. In fairness to him, he’s dealt with some injuries and a lack of consistency at quarterback and schematically.
Pitts, who’s played for two head coaches and two offensive coordinators, has seen Atlanta use six starting quarterbacks during his time with the club. Not since his debut year with Matt Ryan has any quarterback started each game.
Whatever the formula is for Pitts to find success with the Falcons, it needs to come this year. Time is running out on the potential.
Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be the man under center, complemented by Bijan Robinson at running back and Drake London as the No. 1 wide receiver. Matched with Pitts, that’s four first-rounders, which looks beautiful on paper for Atlanta.
Pitts, the most senior of the group in terms of experience, might be the biggest question mark, though.
"We believe that Kyle's going to put everything he can into being the best player he can for us," Fontenot said. "We're going to do the same for him."