Kyle Pitts is number eight and now he has to ball like Kobe

The Atlanta Falcons made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history and for good reason. Turn on the tape and it’s easy to see why the Atlanta Falcons were enamored with Kyle Pitts. He has the size of a linebacker, the speed of a tight end, and the route running and catching ability of a wide receiver.

There have been plenty of comparisons to who he could be. He’s also been described as a generational talent. Kyle Pitts could be an absolute game-changer for the Atlanta Falcons for years to come.

But let’s not overlook the number he chose. Number eight. And while he didn’t say it, we all know what the number eight means.

Kyle Pitts has to ball like Kobe Bryant from his rookie year until he retires

Kobe made the eight and 24 famous.

He’s to those two numbers what Michael Vick is to number seven. It’s iconic. The good thing is Kyle Pitts has the skill and opportunity to perform on the field how Kobe did on the court. There’s no reason to think he doesn’t already have that mentality.

The beauty of it is the Falcons aren’t in a position to contend for a championship right away. There’s no pressure on him to perform right now. If the Atlanta Falcons were any better, they wouldn’t have been in a position to draft him. Pitts is also starting off his career with a future hall of fame quarterback in Matt Ryan.

Any growing pains that would be associated with a younger signal-caller at the helm, should be alleviated.

So now it’s on number eight, Kyle Pitts to just develop his raw talent into making him a nuisance for defense. He should go back and study Kobe’s work ethic, how he overcame early stumbles in his career, and what it will take to be dominant in a professional sports league.

Pitts didn’t make any open statements about why he chose the number eight. But he put himself in the right category. When it’s all said and done, the number eight should be hanging in the Atlanta Falcons ring of honor along with number two and number 11.