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There’s an entire media infrastructure built around the NFL draft. There are folks whose entire career is centered around covering the draft and attempting to predict it with at least a modicum of accuracy. But from time to time, there are disconnects (some of them vast) between how prospects are viewed by media analysts and by league insiders.
That’s why it can be helpful to get the perspective of some of these insiders, and ESPN did just that when it allowed former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum to mock the first round as he would if he were in charge of each individual team. Where do former Gators stack up on his board?
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Well, the first thing that’s noticeable is that tight end Kyle Pitts is nowhere to be found in the top five or even the top 10. Instead, Tannenbaum has him falling all the way to 12th, where he’s finally selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA/SF)
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Eagles fans would be doing backflips in celebration if Pitts fell to No. 12. Pitts and Dallas Goedert are a dream pairing at tight end, but offensive coordinator Shane Steichen would be able to move Pitts around the offense too. And as for quarterback, if Jalen Hurts doesn’t work out, the Eagles have at least two and likely three first-rounders in 2022. (The potential third is based on how much Carson Wentz plays for the Colts this season.)
One thing to know: Pitts lined up outside of the inline TE position on more than one-third of his snaps in 2020.
It seems Tannenbaum believes Pitts would be a major addition to whichever team selects him, but he’s weighing other positions like quarterback as more valuable. In fact, he has five of them going in the top 10. Though some mock drafts show Pitts going as high as fourth overall, if he fell to the Eagles it would certainly aid Jalen Hurts as he assumes the full-time starter role heading into 2021.
NEXT: What’s up with Kadarius Toney?