Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts lands on NFL top 100

The Atlanta Falcons had their first player inside the NFL’s top 100 countdown with Kyle Pitts landing at 91 for his rookie season. It is an impressive accomplishment for Pitts considering he only has one season under his belt.

Pitts finishing inside the top 100 already points out what Atlanta Falcons fans have already recognized, Kyle is going to be a problem in this league a for long time to come. Pitts is the second all-time leading rookie tight-end behind Mike Ditka. Though it is only fair to point out that Ditka accomplished this feat in three fewer games and still holds onto the record.

In fairness to Pitts, however, it is worth noting that the rookie tight end became Atlanta’s clear best pass catcher and had little help around him. Opposing defenses simply needed to put their best coverage plan on Pitts and force Tajae Sharpe or Russell Gage to prove they could make a play.

A strategy that often proved effective and forced the Falcons to make a myriad of moves in the off-season at the receiver position. This season Pitts will have far more help and should easily surpass the numbers he put together last season.

The biggest area Pitts needs to improve is the consistency with which he scores. Something Arthur Smith and the offensive gameplan will surely address early on this season.  Kyle Pitts is the first Atlanta Falcons player to land in the top 100 but shouldn’t be the last considering the season Cordarrelle Patterson had in a utility role.

Grady Jarrett and Matt Ryan would be the only other Atlanta Falcons from last season with an argument for a spot but considering how their numbers took a step back it wouldn’t be surprising to see them both left off altogether this season.