Category: NFL Draft 2021

Cowboy’s Jerry Jones backtracks on comments about Kyle Pitts

Jerry Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys, wants to make it clear that the reporting of his “infatuation” with Kyle Pitts was “distorted.”

When the Cowboys signed Dak Prescott to a big contract this offseason, it may have had some unintended consequences for the organization. It’s never a bad thing to lock down your franchise quarterback, they’re the rarest asset in football. However, it also indicates that all your chips are pushed in and sets a hard end date on when your team has to be competitive.

It didn’t surprise anyone, then, when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was reported to be “infatuated” with former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. Widely regarded as the best non-quarterback in this draft class, Pitts is a more dangerous receiving threat than most of the traditional wideouts in this draft while also providing the size and blocking ability of a tight end. He’s not just versatile, he’s deadly in all of his roles.

[lawrence-related id=41431,41419]

Although the reporting spurred conversations of a potential trade-up – Pitts has reportedly been in play as high as the fourth overall pick – Jones was dissatisfied with the narrative surrounding his comments and wanted to set the record straight.

There are a few interesting tidbits to unpack from these quotes. The word “inordinate” is particularly salient, considering it was seemingly intended to pack a punch but still doesn’t give a clear indication of how the Cowboys view Pitts. The amount of “value” that would be “inordinate” to spend on him is relative and completely dependent on the organization’s internal valuation of the tight end position and evaluation of Pitts himself.

Another intriguing detail is that Jones decided to amend his statement only after the team met virtually with Pitts, a meeting that seemed to have gone well based on the information available. Dallas discussed the ex-Gator’s leadership abilities and asked him what he saw as areas for potential improvement in his game. Those are pretty standard questions that should have been straightforward for him to answer, although there were almost certainly other topics broached that we’re just not privy to discovering.

What caused Jones to change his public-facing stance on the topic? We’ll probably never know. Regardless of the reason, though, it would seem to reduce the odds that Pitts will have the silver star emblazoned on his chest in the fall.

[lawrence-related id=41461,41312,41282,41238,41136]

[listicle id=41352]

[listicle id=41494]

[listicle id=41417]

[listicle id=41561]

Marco Wilson is confident in his trademark strength and improved maturity

The Florida secondary struggled in 2020, but athletic Gators cornerback Marco Wilson is certain that he can make it in the NFL.

[mm-video type=video id=01f48bncwb7wqjsare5r playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f48bncwb7wqjsare5r/01f48bncwb7wqjsare5r-8005440416bc6f837e82052c147df23f.jpg]

The conversation surrounding ex-Florida players who hope to be selected in the upcoming NFL draft is rightfully centered on the Gators’ trinity of offensive products. Expand the conversation to a Mount Rushmore of prospects, and the fourth man who enters the picture is cornerback Marco Wilson.

There’s a steep dropoff in national name recognition between quarter Kyle Trask, who will most certainly be the third Gator to be drafted, and Marco Wilson. However, many of the Florida faithful know him well, his name indelibly linked among the fans to an unfortunate shoe-throwing incident that helped seal the deal on Florida’s loss to LSU at the end of the 2020 season.

Experience is often called the best teacher, but in Wilson’s case it was also the harshest one. In an interview with G. Allan Taylor of The Athletic, he called the reaction from many on social media “disgusting.” However, he also acknowledged his mistake, saying he allowing himself to get overcharged because he “just wanted so badly to go out there and beat ’em.”

Wilson’s pro prospects are hardly dead, especially after being rekindled by his jaw-dropping pro day numbers.

[lawrence-related id=40644,39594]

The Athletic’s draft guide called him projectable with room to get stronger, but Wilson disagreed. He responded by saying “I don’t think there’s any corner out there that’s stronger than me right now.” That may sound like stereotypical jock arrogance, especially for a player without significant national renown, but in this case, he’s probably right.

No cornerback in the 2021 draft class topped his 26 reps at the bench press. Only two cornerbacks bested his 40-yard dash time. None even came close to his 43.5” vertical jump. He earned the third-highest RAS grade (a composite athleticism score based on combine/pro day results) for a cornerback since 1987. The only reason he isn’t the highest scorer in this draft class is because Jaycee Horn’s size advantaged barely edged him out.

“The game is tough, and you can’t get caught up in the bad plays. You learn from it and know what you need to work on,” said Wilson.

That mindset will be key to his long-term success in the NFL. He has a checkered history in coverage against college teams and cornerbacks have a famously difficult time getting traction at the next level. On the other hand, his physical gifts clearly aren’t lacking and he’s learned from his mistakes.

Let’s hope experience isn’t quite so harsh a teacher for Wilson the next time around.

[lawrence-related id=41461,41431,41419,41312,41282]

[vertical-gallery id=37193]

[listicle id=41436]

[listicle id=41417]

[listicle id=41352]

Kyle Pitts heading to an unsurprising franchise in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft

There’s one particular player that the UF fanbase is hinging its hopes on to become the highest-drafted at his position in the modern era.

The 2021 NFL draft is mere days away and as the clock ticks down to April 29 the final projections for this year’s draft crop are coming in at full speed. For Florida Gators fans, there is one particular player that the fanbase is hinging its hopes on to become the highest-drafted player at his position in the modern era.

By all accounts, former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts is expected to go among the first 10 players selected, with a high likelihood of cracking the top five. CBS Sports’ writer Cody Benjamin published his take on the generational talent Saturday, with high expectations for him.

PROJECTED TEAM: Cincinnati
PROSPECT RNK: 4th
POSITION RNK: 1st
Why are we so sure that Cincy is between Penei Sewell and Ja’Marr Chase? Pitts doesn’t help the O-line, but he’s arguably the top weapon of the class. The Bengals opt to wait until Round 2 to address the trenches, instead giving Joe Burrow an instant safety valve at a position of need.

If Pitts is taken at No. 4, he would become the highest-drafted tight end in the modern era of the NFL and the highest in general since Billy Cannon in 1960. Truly an accomplishment the Gator Nation can be proud of.

[lawrence-related id=41419,41312,41282,41238,41136]

[listicle id=41352]

[listicle id=41417]

[listicle id=41285]

Where does Pitts land? One NFL executive thinks he goes to this AFC team

The anonymous executive feels fairly confident that one particular AFC team will use their high pick to take the former UF tight end.

There can be a lot of chatter when it comes time for the NFL draft, and a lot of it can be subterfuge or false narratives. That’s why it’s best, when possible, to get information from the horse’s mouth. CBS Sports did exactly that when it got an anonymous NFL executive to give his thoughts on the top 10 picks in the draft.

This executive seems pretty confident when it comes to the landing spot for Kyle Pitts. Though mock drafts have the former tight end in a number of spots, including fourth overall to Atlanta and sixth overall to Miami, this executive thinks he’s going to the Bengals with the fifth pick.

This is Kyle Pitts or Penei Sewell, and the falloff from Pitts to any other prospect in this draft is higher than the falloff from any offensive lineman.

It would certainly be understandable if Cincinnati took Sewell here, considering it has a young quarterback coming off ACL surgery to protect. But the executive makes a good point about the dropoff from Pitts. This isn’t the deepest class at tackle, but Pitts is a transcendent player.

Interestingly, the executive doesn’t seem to think LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase is an option for the Bengals here. He’s a commonly mocked pick for Cincy, but if they’re going to take a pass-catcher here, it makes sense that it would be Pitts.

[lawrence-related id=41312,41282,41238,41132,41112]

[listicle id=41352]

[listicle id=41417]

[listicle id=41285]

[listicle id=41068]

Where will Kadarius Toney land? Here are his three most-likely destinations

He’s seen a good bit of variety in landing spots depending on the mock draft, but here are the three teams most likely to draft Toney.

Kadarius Toney is an intriguing NFL prospect. He didn’t really break out until his final season at Florida, which is a red flag for talent evaluators, but his 2020 tape is too good to ignore. The speedy, gadget-type receiver is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and if the strong route-running he showed last season at UF translates to the NFL, he will be tough to contend with.

Because he’s not a true No. 1-type receiver, he’s not considered to be among the elite receivers in this class like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith. He is, however, commonly projected as a first-round pick with a floor in the early to mid-second.

Operating under the assumption that Toney doesn’t make it out of the first 32 picks, here are the three teams most likely to take him (based on the many mock drafts I’ve seen and my own personal opinion), in the order that they pick.

Here are the three most likely draft destinations for Kyle Pitts

It’s unlikely that former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts falls out of the top 10 and there are several teams in that range who could use him.

Former Gators tight end Kyle Pitts has seen a lot of stability in his draft projections. Considered a generational talent at the tight end position, some scouts even have him as the No. 2 overall prospect in the draft behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who’s expected to go with the first pick.

There’s likely to be an early run on quarterbacks, as after the Jaguars take Lawrence first, New York is expected to take BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, and San Francisco, who traded up for the third pick, is also likely to take a passer (probably either Ohio State‘s Justin Fields or Alabama‘s Mac Jones).

But even if there’s a quarterback frenzy in the top 10 and more trades happen, it seems unlikely that Pitts falls out of the top 10 and nearly impossible that he’s available beyond the top 15. But of those teams picking early, which ones are most likely to take him?

Kiper explains why Kyle Pitts is his highest-graded tight end of all time

The ESPN draft analyst has Pitts as the highest-graded tight end prospect of all time, and he’s the No. 1 pass-catcher in this class.

[mm-video type=video id=01f40j4rxk7t9d93kb8q playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f40j4rxk7t9d93kb8q/01f40j4rxk7t9d93kb8q-ad2b618149ab8b13960382925ac0dd20.jpg]

Former Florida tight end is nearly unanimously considered to be the top tight end in this draft class and one of the best players available overall. But in a conversation on ESPN with former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, draft analyst Mel Kiper went a step further when asked where Kyle Pitts stacks up against the best tight end prospects of all time.

“No. 1,” he said. “I go back to Kellen Winslow Sr. when I first started in this business coming out of Missouri had a tremendously high grade, Kellen Winslow Jr. did as well, Vernon Davis, but, after it’s all said and done… Kyle Pitts is the highest-rated tight end ever.”

(function (d, s, n) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
js = d.createElement(s);
js.className = n;
js.src = “//player.ex.co/player/e5869bc6-faf6-4b7a-8c06-b5610c96a8fe”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘exco-player’));

There certainly haven’t been many prospects like Pitts at the tight end position. His combination of size, speed and ball skills is practically unmatched, and there’s a reason he’s considered a sure thing at the next level.

Orlovsky followed up Kiper’s praise with a question about where Pitts would stack up as a receiver in this class compared to other top options like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.

“I have him No. 2 (overall) behind Trevor Lawrence,” Kiper said. “So to answer your question, he’s the highest-rated receiving entity in this draft and the highest-rated tight end ever.”

This is high praise for Pitts, but it’s nothing new. He’s been commonly mocked in the top five picks, especially to the Falcons at fourth overall. If Atlanta were to make that move, he’d be the highest-drafted tight end in the modern era of the NFL and the highest in general since Billy Cannon in 1960.

[lawrence-related id=41240,41238,41226,41136,41112]

[listicle id=41285]

[listicle id=41068]

Where do Florida’s offensive standouts go in this three-round mock?

Here’s where Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney and Kyle Trask land in the latest three-round mock draft from CBS Sports as draft day quickly nears.

The only former Gator who doesn’t have to sweat too much on draft day is tight end Kyle Pitts. While most other UF prospects have seen a good bit of fluidity in their projections, his have been fairly static. It’d be a minor upset if he fell out of the top 10, and he’s almost certainly going to be gone by the middle of the round, if not far, far earlier.

However, what of the rest of the Florida prospects? The latest three-round mock from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso includes three of them in the first 105 picks. Here’s where each Gator lands in his projection.

Where do Florida’s offensive standouts go in this three-round mock?

Here’s where Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney and Kyle Trask land in the latest three-round mock draft from CBS Sports as draft day quickly nears.

The only former Gator who doesn’t have to sweat too much on draft day is tight end Kyle Pitts. While most other UF prospects have seen a good bit of fluidity in their projections, his have been fairly static. It’d be a minor upset if he fell out of the top 10, and he’s almost certainly going to be gone by the middle of the round, if not far, far earlier.

However, what of the rest of the Florida prospects? The latest three-round mock from CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso includes three of them in the first 105 picks. Here’s where each Gator lands in his projection.

New SI mock draft shows Pitts in top 10, Toney out of the first round

The latest Sports Illustrated mock draft shows Pitts staying in the state of Florida in the top 10 while Toney falls out of the first round.

At this point, it seems it would be a mild upset if former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts fell out off the first 10 picks in the upcoming NFL draft. Almost all mock drafts show him off the board by then, with some even projecting a historic draft spot in the top five.

This latest mock from Sports Illustrated’s Jenny Vrentas is no different. She projects Pitts to go with the sixth pick in the draft to the Miami Dolphins. Miami originally picked at third, as well, before trading that selection to the 49ers. It was thought that they could take a pass-catcher with that pick, such as Ja’Marr Chase or Pitts. So if the latter fell in their lap at sixth anyway, it would certainly be a major win.

(function (d, s, n) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
js = d.createElement(s);
js.className = n;
js.src = “//player.ex.co/player/e5869bc6-faf6-4b7a-8c06-b5610c96a8fe”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘exco-player’));

In the same year Belichick spent close to $90 million in free agency on a pair of tight ends, Pitts stands to be drafted uncommonly high for his position. The last tight end to be drafted sixth was Vernon Davis in 2006—and it’s possible Pitts will go even higher than this slot. After moving down to No. 12, Miami came back up to No. 6 for a playmaker for second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa. Pitts is a versatile offensive weapon made for today’s NFL, capable of lining up in-line, in the slot or split out as an X receiver. In just eight games last season for the Gators, Pitts pulled down 12 TDs—amounting to one score every four catches. Pitts would pair with Mike Gesicki for a formidable two-tight end set, like those favored by Brian Flores’s former team in Foxboro.

Pitts would join an already-decent receiving group that includes Will Fuller and Devante Parker, and though they already have Gesicki on the roster, that shouldn’t stop them from taking Pitts if given the chance.

No other Florida players appear in this mock draft. Kadarius Toney is the Gators’ best chance of having two players selected in the first round, and though he’s most commonly projected to go in the latter half of the first 32 picks, some mock drafts (like this one) have him falling out of the first round.

[lawrence-related id=41112,41110,41065,41072,40978]

[listicle id=41068]

[listicle id=40927]