The 2021 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Kyle Pitts 2021 NFL Draft Profile.
Kyle Pitts Background
Position: Tight End
Size: 6-foot-6, 245 pounds
Class: Junior
2020 stats: 43 receptions, 770 yards, 12 touchdowns, 17.9 yards per reception
Pitts was one of the biggest matchup problems in college football over the last few seasons. He has decided to enter the 2021 NFL Draft after two very productive seasons at Florida.
He entered college as an Under-Armour All-American. As a freshman, he mostly saw the field on special teams, but did record three receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Pitts was a more featured part of the offense as a sophomore, finishing the year with 54 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns. The Gators went 11-2 and won the Orange Bowl that season. Pitts registered 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. Florida won eight games, but Pitts sat out the Cotton Bowl and the team lost.
Pitts was a highlight-reel at Florida and is now ready to take his talents to the next level. He is a projected top 20 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Strengths
Pitts is a matchup nightmare because of his athleticism. He is 6-foot-6, but displays good speed and acceleration. Pitts also has great body control to adjust to balls thrown off target. When smaller players are guarding him, he can go up and get the ball. If teams try to guard him with linebackers, he will burn them.
His ability to win jump balls and 50/50 balls makes him a great red zone threat. At Florida, Kyle Trask could throw it up high when Florida got in the red zone and more often than not, Pitts would come down with the ball. Teams that need to convert more touchdowns once they get in the red zone will get a very productive player in Pitts.
His understanding of route-running is very impressive. He makes clean breaks, which helps give him separation. Pitts even displayed the ability to get free against corners. When he notices the leverage that defenders are giving him, he uses that information to get open. Because he was split out wide a lot, Pitts ran a lot of different routes at Florida.
Weaknesses
Pitts needs to add strength to his frame. He has great height for the NFL at 6-foot-6, but he is a little slight at 245 pounds. This allows him to get overpowered at the point of attack in the running game. If he had more strength, he could be even more effective in the passing game as well.
His blocking needs a lot of work. Pitts shows good effort at times, but simply doesn’t have the strength or power to sustain blocks. Defenders can often be seen shedding his blocks after initially being contacted. If he can sustain more blocks, he will be a more complete tight end.
Teams will have to figure out if they want to put him on the line of scrimmage or split him out wide. He can provide more of a mismatch if he lines up on the line of scrimmage, but won’t have as many tough blocking assignments on the outside. Pitts is a great player, but needs to be used correctly.
Projected Draft Range: Top 20 Pick
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