The Atlanta Falcons just shelled out big money for star tight end Kyle Pitts, signing him to a three-year extension worth up to $54 million. That massive commitment makes him the third-highest paid player in the league at his position, but honestly, it feels a bit like an overpay. It’s giving us déjà vu after that four-year, $141 million deal for wide receiver Drake London, and not by much.
Big Money, Big Questions
Heading into his sixth season, Pitts is absolutely well-established as a top-10 producer. NFL.com’s fantasy football rankings have him coming in at No. 7 overall, placing him in the second tier of tight ends. The write-up perfectly captures the vibe: “Kyle Pitts believes his best football is still ahead of him after signing an extension that makes him one of the highest-paid players at his position. I’m tempted to buy in, but the potential for instability at quarterback in Atlanta gives me pause. Pitts could be a solid value pick if fantasy managers don’t reach for him after the first tier of TEs are off the board.” That “potential for instability at quarterback” is the real sticking point, especially for fantasy owners who aren’t already grabbing Bijan Robinson as the consensus No. 1 overall pick.
A History of QB Chaos, A History of Production
Here’s the frustrating part: Pitts has put up seriously good numbers when healthy, despite a near-constant merry-go-round at quarterback his entire career. Think about it: he kicked things off with Matt Ryan, then slogged through a year with Marcus Mariota, then Desmond Ridder. The last two seasons have been a split between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix. We’re probably in for more of the same this season, which is just wild after investing so much in him. But here’s the undeniable truth: when Pitts has played all 17 games, which is four out of five years, he has never posted less than 47 catches or 602 receiving yards. And his touchdown totals? They’ve gone up every single season he’s been in the NFL. That’s pure, consistent production through absolute chaos.
Sure, his best numbers last year came when Drake London was on injured reserve, and rookie Zachariah Branch might eat into some of those short yardage targets he thrived at in 2025. But that’s far from a guarantee, and let’s be real, no other receiver has really proven themselves worthy of a true WR2 role behind London. Pitts isn’t going to suddenly outscore Brock Bowers, but he is absolutely a steady, solid TE1 in most fantasy leagues. Heading into his sixth pro season, the talent is undeniable. The biggest variable? Still that quarterback carousel. If Atlanta ever finds consistency under center, his fantasy ceiling could go through the roof.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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