Watched a bunch of Kyle Pitts for a real look. 10+ games including four A22 (South Carolina, Bama, A&M & UG)
From PA. Played TE/WR & DE. Think someone had interest with him as a QB. Apparently a very good all-around player that has always flashed something special. Really wanted to pursue playing TE and after watching Eric Ebron thought he was sold it was for him.
Match-up nightmare - 600 + (inline), 200 +(slot), 170 + (wide) - You can line him up in the backfield - detached, anywhere and he'll do work. Not just something cool to say. Pitts has beat NFL prospects/DB's for two years out wide. He's an option everywhere and a little creativity will go a long way with him.
His release has improved and really helps him out wide. Free release from behind the line or elsewhere just makes it so tough on defenders with an athletic 6'6/245 coming at them. A real chess piece and that's thrown around too much. Developed some nice patience at the los. Clean, efficient footwork off the line. Not the quickest or fastest but very smooth and again efficient. Very few false steps, if any. More sudden than I first gave him credit for. Uses a variety of releases, stutter-hesi but its his jab step or a diamond release for instance and ability to sell outside that gives him the. It really makes him money. Creates a nice stem at the beginning and top of his route to get open.
He does a fantastic job at selling outside for in-breaking routes. Runs a slant like he's 210 not a bacon burger away from 250. Crisp and clean head/shoulder fakes. Killer swim move to separate. Will stab and use his length, hands at times. Understands and sets up leverage reads nicely. Can work all areas. Back shoulder/slant/out & up, crossers, seam route. Much like everything else he does his r/r is neat.
At times Pitts is able to get low, sink into his hips and come out with a nice burst off his cut. Easy, smooth mover with no stiffness or lumbering movements. Silky smooth glider that eats up yards with his strides. Reportedly ran a 4.70, not bad but any improvement on that will be welcomed. More than enough play speed, quicks and elusivness.
Big-time catch radius with soft mitts. No tough catches or double catches. Ball just falls into his hands. He'll pluck it from the air. Easily one of his best assets is the ability to catch off-target passes. Both high and low. Sometimes without making a complete stop to adjust. Mind you he's 6'6, an awesome target. Has the ability to be that security blanket every QB wants bc of those two attributes.
Blocking is an issue but not a lost cause. You won't put in his tape for a blocking clinic but he can be good enough. Doesn't feel like it was pushed in college. At times he'd try to just use his length, not much technique. Hand placement is too far outside/away from the #'s. Has to strike first. Few reps every game that aren't bad. He'll show some aggression as a lead blocker or close to putting it all together for a few reps. A&M had a few of them. They're there but not consistent enough. Effort is very present just needs to keep it simple and live with some mistakes. Might never be a killer but he could a better with a little fix here and there. One thing that stands to be helpful is Pitts getting stronger. He absolutely has to improve his play strength. For inline play and while he's running across the middle.
Has the body control, ability to contort for tough catches. Shows toughness in different areas. Trajectory and growth look/have been very promising.
Has to keep working on getting open at top of the route. Improvement and accuracy with hand placement. Grip strength. Not looking for enormous gains. A little technique, growing into his body and experience, learning from pros should go a long way with this one.
Comp - Moves like Travis Kelce/ Eventually could have Jermichael Finley's body too if he adds some muscle.
Pitts isn't just a TE in in fact whoever drafts him should continue to develop him outside as a WR. It would only be a natural as he's been a hybrid since high school. Keep working him outside, work on his blocking and get him stronger. Pitts is 21 I believe, in three years he could an absolute monster on the field. He's ahead of schedule in a lot of areas and is a hard worker by all accounts. The development over the past two years speaks to that but is everything you want to see.
Take away what you want. 1 on 1 on an island, good luck. Mukuamu is a very long prospect, possible safety convert but the exact match you'd want against Pitts. Look at the release though.
This is another area where he's just too much for the defense. Free release is a disaster waiting to happen.
