Should I Start Kyle Pitts Sr.?

Thursday, May 7, 1:31 PM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. officially signed his $15.045 million franchise tender on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Pitts is locked into a sixth season with the Falcons, but the team's brass may want to see another strong season in 2026 before getting serious about signing him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida looked legitimate in his first year in the NFL, when he posted a 68-1,026-1 line on 110 targets over 17 games. However, He combined for just nine touchdowns and didn't exceed 667 receiving yards or 53 receptions in his next three seasons from 2022 to 2024. Pitts finally broke out again for fantasy managers in 2025, securing 88 receptions on 118 targets for 928 yards and five touchdowns in 17 starts in a career year. Can he do it again? Well, it's a major question mark, especially with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) set to compete for the starting QB job this summer. He should still be considered a TE1 in fantasy in 2026, but fantasy managers shouldn't reach for him as an elite TE1. Right now, RotoBaller has Pitts ranked as the No. 8 option at his position.