Who Should I Start? Kyle Pitts or Mason Taylor

Wednesday, May 28, 1:14 PM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (foot), who was absent from the start of organized team activities this week, is dealing with a bit of a foot issue, according to the Bleacher Report's James Palmer. Pitts was at the team's facility on Tuesday, but he just wasn't working out on the field. The former fourth overall pick is heading into the final year of his current deal, but his absence on the field for the start of OTAs is injury-related and not contract-related. It's unclear exactly how serious Pitts' foot injury is, but it's more bad news for a player whose fantasy stock continues to fall since his rookie season in 2021. Atlanta's coaching staff seems to be optimistic that they'll involve Pitts more in 2025, but we've also heard that before. The 24-year-old had a 1,000-yard season in 2021 but hasn't cleared 667 yards in three years since. At best, fantasy managers should target him as a low-end TE1 in drafts this fall.

Tuesday, April 29, 4:39 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that rookie second-round tight end Mason Taylor will immediately walk into the Jets building at the top of the tight end depth chart going into his rookie season in 2025. Jeremy Ruckert projects as the No. 2, but he has yet to make an impact since the Jets drafted him in 2022. The Jets are at least hoping he can take a step forward as a blocker and contribute in the running game. The 20-year-old Taylor not only will be a starter immediately, but he could see plenty of targets from quarterback Justin Fields in his first year in the NFL, giving him TE1 fantasy upside in 2025. Outside of WR1 Garrett Wilson, the Jets don't exactly star-studded receiving depth in Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard and Arian Smith. Taylor will have intriguing rookie upside, but he'll still be better off drafted as a TE2 sleeper than a staple for those in single-TE leagues.