Falcons: Forget TE, Kyle Pitts might be best WR in the league

Before the Atlanta Falcons made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history, he was regarded as one of the best prospects in league history and easily the best tight end prospect ever.

There is a reason Atlanta took him with the fourth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has the talent to play both tight end and wide receiver, something he showed throughout his rookie season.

One stat shows the Falcons’ tight end might be the best wide receiver in the NFL

The tight end position has changed throughout the years, they are now seen as a receiving threat before an extra blocker, and the Falcons have the perfect example of that in Kyle Pitts.

There is a stat that calculates the average yards per route run while lined up as an outside receiver and shockingly a tight end led the league in this stat.

As you can see, when lined up as an outside receiver, Kyle Pitts averaged more yards per route run than guys like Deebo Samuel, Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, or any other receiver or tight end you can think of.

Pitts, on an average basis, was the most productive wide receiver despite it not being his primary position. This speaks to how versatile he is.

Sure, Pitts did not have as many snaps on the outside as most of the other players, but a tight end should not be the leader in this stat, it is incredible, especially when you consider he was a 20-year-old rookie.

Arthur Smith can do anything he wants with his superstar tight end, line him up on the outside, line him up in the slot, or line him up on the line like a usual tight end does, he will produce.

He might have the brightest future of any receiving threat in NFL history. He can become as good as anyone to ever play.