Tag: Kyle Pitts

Check out where two former Gators land in this latest NFL mock draft

The 2021 NFL draft may still be three months away, yet recent league events are already beginning to shape it.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below. 

The 2021 NFL draft may still be three months away, yet recent league events are already beginning to shape it. For starters, the playoffs have nearly set the first-round order – Super Bowl 55 left to determine the Buccaneers or Chiefs as 2020 champions and the final team to select in Round 1.

And then there’s the quarterback carousel, which has cranked up unusually early. We’re only a few weeks into the 2021 calendar, and already Philip Rivers has announced his retirement, the Lions and Matthew Stafford have apparently chosen to terminate their marriage, and it seems Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston.

The fallout will be reflected in my first mock draft of the year:

Pair of former Gators slotted as NFL 1st round picks by Mel Kiper

After impressive seasons in Florida’s record-setting passing offense, Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney could go off the board on Day 1.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Florida’s offensive struggles over the last decade are best evidenced by its output into the NFL (or lack thereof). UF hasn’t had an offensive skill position player drafted in the first round since Tim Tebow in 2010.

That’s going to change this year, though. It shouldn’t be surprising that UF’s record-setting 2020 offense has NFL teams paying attention, and in his preliminary first-round mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has two Florida pass-catchers in his first 32 picks.

Gators tight end Kyle Pitts was almost universally considered to be the best player at his position in college football this year. He cracked the top-10 in Heisman voting (making him the first tight end to do so since 1977), and he could push to be a top-10 selection in April’s draft.

Right now, Kiper predicts that Pitts will fall just outside the top 10, predicting that the New York Giants will select him with the 11th overall pick.

11. New York Giants

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Quarterback Daniel Jones cut down on his turnovers and showed some improvement in Year 2, but he still averaged only 6.6 yards per attempt. Even when he gets time to throw in the pocket, he doesn’t have a consistent downfield threat (though Darius Slayton was a nice fifth-round find in 2019). At 6-foot-6, Pitts has the size/speed traits to line up out wide, in the slot or next to an offensive tackle. And he showed off his ability after the catch by averaging 17.9 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. Pitts is not a traditional tight end, but he’s a skilled offensive threat. And with Evan Engram on the roster, too, the Giants would have two of the most athletic — and versatile — tight ends in football.

NEXT: Where will Kadarius Toney go?

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Giants select Kyle Pitts in Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft

In the first mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the New York Giants select tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 11 overall.

[jwplayer veU3DU48]

The New York Giants will likely be seeking some offensive playmakers in this year’s NFL draft and the draftniks have been all over that in their mock drafts.

Mel Kiper Jr, the original draftnik, believes the Giants will have a choice of several big-time offensive weapons with the 11th overall selection in Round 1. In his first mock draft of the year, Kiper relives the Giants won’t pass on this special tight end out of Florida.

11. New York Giants
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Quarterback Daniel Jones cut down on his turnovers and showed some improvement in Year 2, but he still averaged only 6.6 yards per attempt. Even when he gets time to throw in the pocket, he doesn’t have a consistent downfield threat (though Darius Slayton was a nice fifth-round find in 2019). At 6-foot-6, Pitts has the size/speed traits to line up out wide, in the slot or next to an offensive tackle. And he showed off his ability after the catch by averaging 17.9 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. Pitts is not a traditional tight end, but he’s a skilled offensive threat. And with Evan Engram on the roster, too, the Giants would have two of the most athletic — and versatile — tight ends in football.

Engram has worn out his welcome with the Giants. Dropped passes and inconsistent play have fans and experts doubting the Giants will extend him past this season, which is the last on Engram’s rookie contract.

Pitts is more of an inline tight end with more size with hopefully better hands. The addition of Pitts could make Engram expendable in a draft day trade. Engram’s salary and cap hit for 2021 is $6.013 million and a trade would free up valuable cap space with the salary cap $23 million lower this year across the league.

Engram’s value went up this offseason after he was selected for the Pro Bowl but many may not be fooled by that honor. His drops cost the Giants on the scoreboard and in the standings and he may not be as easy to deal.

The selection of Pitts is contingent on him still being on the board at No. 11. Many teams see him as a ‘unicorn’ or unique player that will be a matchup nightmare for NFL linebackers and secondaries. He could go in the Top 10, especially if he kills it at the combine (or whatever replaces it).

[lawrence-related id=663860,663871,663869]

49ers add another offensive weapon in mock draft

The San Francisco 49ers scoop up Florida TE Kyle Pitts in Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft.

[jwplayer jtAXhJes]

The 49ers’ list of draft needs is relatively long with more than 40 players set to hit free agency and a salary cap crunch that could keep San Francisco from retaining some key contributors. While they could go into the draft aiming to fill specific holes on the roster, they may also go the route of simply adding another good player, even at a position that might not be a high priority. That’s the strategy they utilized in a mock draft by NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah.

San Francisco with the No. 12 selection in Jeremiah’s mock scoop up Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

It seems like the kind of choice that wouldn’t behoove a 49ers club that needs a couple starters in the secondary, another edge rusher, some offensive lineman, and maybe a quarterback.

However, versatile tight ends can cause huge matchup problems for defenses. Adding another effective wide-receiver-type pass catcher to the 49ers’ growing list of weapons could make them even more difficult to defend.

Pitts is a massive 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, but runs routes like a much smaller player. Florida utilized him as an in-line tight end, in the slot, and split out wide, and he’s effective at all three spots. He was a favorite target of quarterback Kyle Trask in 2020 and hauled in 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games as a junior. That came after a strong sophomore campaign where he posted 54 receptions, 649 yards and five touchdowns.

It’s easy to see how a big, explosive, versatile tight end would add a new layer of difficulty for defending the 49ers’ offense. On the other hand, it may be wiser to locate some explosive athletes later in the draft and focus on some of the more pressing needs in the early rounds.

Florida TE Kyle Pitts is a contested-catch machine

Florida’s Kyle Pitts is one of the best tight end prospects in recent memory, especially in contested-catch situations

If your favorite NFL team is in the market for a dynamic tight end prospect who creates serious matchup problems for opposing defenses, Florida’s Kyle Pitts is the man for the job.

With his rare combination of size and athleticism, Pitts was one of the most dominant pass-catchers in all of college football this season. He was at his best in contested-catch situations, where his success made him the best at his position over the past six years (via Pro Football Focus).

Though it’s not often we see a tight end prospect worthy of top-5 consideration, Pitts has the skill set to be worthy of that conversation in the 2021 NFL draft.

[vertical-gallery id=624967]

Giants select TE Kyle Pitts in latest PFF mock draft

In the latest mock draft from Pro Football Focus, the New York Giants select Florida TE Kyle Pitts in Round 1.

[jwplayer mClr3FrL-ThvAeFxT]

The New York Giants hold the 11th overall selection in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, which is scheduled to be held in Cleveland from April 29-May 1.

There are many who are predicting who — or what — the Giants will use that pick on but most agree that an offensive playmaker is their biggest need after finishing 31st in the NFL in total offense this year.

Pro Football Focus, in their latest mock draft, have the Giants selecting Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 11.

Pitts generated a 96.2 PFF grade this year, more than five grading points higher than any other tight end and well above the previous record set by former FAU Owl and now-Cleveland Brown Harrison Bryant in 2019 (92.5). The Giants receiving corps was one of the worst in the NFL in 2020 — the selection of Pitts goes a long way toward changing that.

The versatile tight end played just shy of 64% of his offensive snaps inline, but he dominated unlike any other tight end we had ever seen when he lined up out wide in single coverage. Pitts went toe-to-toe with press coverage when lined up out wide for 40 receiving snaps this season and came away with seven explosive receptions of 15-plus yards on those opportunities. We have never seen a tight end record more than two of those in a single year before Pitts this season.

Interesting. The NFL has become a tight end league. No team can really succeed on offense without a pass-catcher at the position. Last year’s two Super Bowl participants — Kansas City and San Francisco — both had Pro Bowl tight ends on their roster (Travis Kelce, George Kittle).

The Giants also have a Pro Bowl tight end on their roster in Evan Engram, but for all of the plays that he’s made, he has equally frustrated the team with dropped passes, injuries and inconsistent play.

Pitts is 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds and caught 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns this season for Florida. He was named a First Team All-American and was the recipient of the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end.

The Giants’ selection of Pitts would surely mean their relationship with Engram is coming to a close. He will be entering his fifth season with the Giants and will carry a cap hit of $6.013 million. It is very possible the Giants deal Engram this offseason as he has fallen out of favor with many fans.

[vertical-gallery id=663237]

This Florida Gator is ESPN’s favorite tight end of 2020

There is little doubt that Florida’s star tight end will find success in the NFL considering that he is projected to go in the first round.

One of the brightest spots of the 2020 college football season for the Florida Gators was a pair of Kyles who both made waves in the Heisman Trophy award race. While both put up numbers rarely seen outside of the context of video games, one of the two truly stood out in the eyes of ESPN’s staff writer Bill Connelly.

Kyle Pitts, the first-ever tight end finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and the winner of the John Mackey Award, was Connelly’s most outstanding tight end this past season after putting up ridiculous statistics in just eight games played — he missed three games due to a head injury sustained against the Georgia Bulldogs and opted out of the Cotton Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners in order to prepare for the National Football League’s amateur draft.

Here is what Connelly had to say.

Favorite tight end: Kyle Pitts, Florida. Of course. This was a year for fun experimentation at the tight end position — Ole Miss’ Kenny Yeboah was dangerous as a deep threat and racked up heavy yards after catch, UCLA’s Greg Dulcich was a wonderful vertical threat, and 24 tight ends averaged at least 40 receiving yards per game. Pitts was their leader. He caught 43 balls for 770 yards and 12 TDs in only eight games. Also: zero drops. Goodness.

Keep in mind, Pitts actually achieved all of that in less than eight games, when you consider that the injury — which resulted from a hit that was penalized with a targeting call — was before the first half of play was even over. There is little doubt that Florida’s star tight end will find great success at the next level, especially considering that he is projected to go in the first round in practically every mock draft.

[lawrence-related id=32816,32749,32739,32635,32615]

[listicle id=32406]

[vertical-gallery id=32378]

Guess who Florida’s unanimous First Team All-American selection was?

Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts was announced as a unanimous Walter Camp First Team All-American on Friday — his fifth such honor.

[jwplayer jRbJrsJt]

Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts was announced as a unanimous Walter Camp First Team All-American on Friday — his fifth such honor for his collegiate career.

He is now in good company, joinging linebacker Brandon Spikes (2008), defensive back Joe Haden (2009) and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (2015) as UF’s only unanimous picks, and is only the second tight end in school history to be selected to the First Team after the infamous Aaron Hernandez.

Pitts played in just eight games in 2020, missing games due to a concussion sustained from a hit that resulted in a targeting penalty against the Georgia Bulldogs while also opting out of the Cotton Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners to prepare for the NFL draft. Nonetheless, he still grabbed 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns — second-most all-time at the position in SEC history—with his yardage leading all tight ends and his scores tied for third-best in the country among all pass-catchers.

Adding to his many accomplishments, Florida’s former star tight end holds the all-time record for receiving yards among tight ends. He was also named a finalist for both the John Mackey Award and the Biletnikoff Award — the first tight end to be named a finalist for both awards in college football history — taking home the Mackey Award on Thursday.

[lawrence-related id=32739,32635,32615,32603,32600]

[listicle id=32406]

[vertical-gallery id=32378]

Kyle Pitts wins Mackey Award as nation’s top tight end

Florida’s Kyle Pitts on Thursday night won the John Mackey Award, which recognizes the best tight end in college football.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by the Gainesville Sun and has been republished in its entirety below. 

Florida’s Kyle Pitts on Thursday night won the John Mackey Award, which recognizes the best tight end in college football.

Pitts is the second tight end in school history to win the Mackey Award, joining Aaron Hernandez who won the award in 2009. Ben Troupe (2003) and Jake McGee (2015) were named finalists in their respective years.

Earlier Thursday, Pitts was named a Walter Camp First Team All-American, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced.

Pitts becomes the first unanimous first-team All-American since Vernon Hargreaves III in 2015. Both Pitts and Hargreaves were named to the first teams of the AFCA, AP, FWAA, Sporting News and Walter Camp All-America teams.

His dominant performance this season also landed him a spot as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (nation’s best pass catcher). But, as expected, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith won the Biletnikoff Award.

Pitts quickly became the best tight end and one of the top pass catchers in the country this season with 43 receptions, 770 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Pitts’ 12 receiving touchdowns this season were the second-highest total by a tight end in Southeastern Conference history. Vanderbilt’s Allama Matthews (14 in 1982) holds the SEC record. His 770 yards this year ties Kirk Kirkpatrick (1990) for second on Florida’s single-season record list for receiving yards by a tight end.

The junior is the first tight end in Gators history and the eighth FBS tight end in the last five years (including 2020) with three games of 100-plus receiving yards in the same season.

Alabama’s Mac Jones won the Davey O’Brien Award over Florida’s Kyle Trask and Trevor Lawrence of Clemson.

[lawrence-related id=32615,32618,32616,32603,32600]

[listicle id=32406]

[vertical-gallery id=32378]

Florida tight end Pitts the favorite to win this postseason award

Kyle Pitts is one of 3 finalists for both the John Mackey Award for the best tight end and the Biletnikoff Award for the top pass-catcher.

[jwplayer Xrm3URhk]

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts has the opportunity to bring home some hardware tonight. The standout player and likely first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is nominated for two awards tonight at the Home Depot College Football Awards.

Pitts is one of three finalists for both the John Mackey award, given to the nation’s best tight end, and the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the top pass-catcher in the country. Pitts is the first player to be nominated for both since Chase Coffman, the 2008 winner of the Mackey.

Though Heisman Trophy-winning receiver Devonta Smith is all but guaranteed to take home the Biletnikoff, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach thinks Pitts is the favorite to win the Mackey over finalists Charlie Kolar from Iowa State and Jalen Wydermyer from Texas A&M. Here’s what he said about this year’s race for the Mackey.

Who should win: Pitts. He was a matchup nightmare for any defense he faced because of his height, speed and length. He was PFF’s top-rated tight end with a 96.2 overall grade, finishing with 43 receptions for 770 yards with 12 touchdowns. He didn’t have a drop in 65 targets and 39 of his catches were for first downs.

Who will win: Pitts

Pitts is the first Florida finalist for the Mackey since Aaron Hernandez in 2009, who won the award.

[lawrence-related id=32616,32603,32581,32579,32576]

[listicle id=32406]

[vertical-gallery id=32378]