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3 Reasons for the Atlanta Falcons to be optimistic this season

By Steven Storrie

Jun 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) reacts on the field during OTA at Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) reacts on the field during OTA at Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) walks off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) walks off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kyle Pitts

Now going into his second year, expect the rookie tight end to take another leap forward now he has a year of experience under his belt. He will be helped by recent additions to the WR room, taking a lot of the opposing defenses’ focus off him. Last season Pitts was often the first player the opposing defense would scheme for and find in the Atlanta passing attack. With Julio Jones gone and Calvin Ridley, a shell of himself before leaving the team the Falcons had very few options putting a lot of pressure on the rookie.

Tajae Sharpe and Christian Blake were counted on to make meaningful contributions for the Falcons last season speaking to their depth. This off-season the team has added Bryan Edwards and Drake London as starters while bringing in a myriad of depth options. The team is going to improve at the receiver position and Pitts will benefit.

Last year he was targeted 110 times, racking up 1,026 yards off 68 catches. While the offensive snaps may be more evenly spread out across the field this year, expect Pitts to become even more dominant. As impressive as his rookie season was, he only managed to catch one touchdown all year. Expect that number to rise significantly considering his talent and size in the redzone.

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