Let’s face it—however the Atlanta Falcons are currently using Kyle Pitts, it’s kind of depressing. Like, did you guys really draft a superhuman tight end, one who’s built like LeBron James and moves like a wide receiver, fourth overall just to have him block?
Well, that seems to be the case—as the second-year pass catcher has caught just 16 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown through the first seven weeks of the season. So, let’s try and save him.
For this week’s “Player Prowl,” a weekly installment where we blissfully (and hypothetically) steal one player from Carolina’s current opponent, we have a pretty clear choice. And just as we did last season in Week 8, we’re snatching away the 6-foot-6, 247-pounder.
Now, could offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and the Panthers get Pitts more involved? Can they allow the 22-year-old to be the gamebreaking, generational talent many thought he’d already be?
Uh . . . maybe. Despite his solid work with the tight end position in New York, McAdoo hasn’t seen Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble take off quite yet—as the duo has combined for 189 yards and one score off 27 targets.
Plus, this offense isn’t exactly too hot right now. PJ Walker, who would’ve been relegated to the practice squad if not for two unfortunate injuries to Sam Darnold and Matt Corral, just had the best performance Carolina has seen all season under center. He threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Regardless, Carolina hasn’t had a tight end worth fawning over since the prime days of the great Greg Olsen and perhaps Pitts can help get them going. That’s why he, amongst a relatively barren roster, is our pick for this week.
Did we get it right?
Previous Player Prowl picks:
- Week 1 (Cleveland Browns): DE Myles Garrett
- Week 2 (New York Giants): DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
- Week 3 (New Orleans Saints): CB Marshon Lattimore
- Week 4 (Arizona Cardinals): QB Kyler Murray
- Week 5 (San Francisco 49ers): DE Nick Bosa
- Week 6 (Los Angeles Rams): DT Aaron Donald
- Week 7 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): WR Chris Godwin
