Falcons ‘open to dealing’ Kyle Pitts as 2026 NFL Draft rumors swirl

The Falcons could try to money in after Kyle Pitts lastly raised his inventory.

The veteran tight finish is offered in commerce talks and may very well be moved throughout the three-day NFL draft starting Thursday to assist in giving the Falcons extra picks, in keeping with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Pitts signed his one-year, $15.05 million franchise tag earlier this month.

“I might watch to see if they might discover a commerce companion for Kyle Pitts, who they’re open to dealing,” Schefter stated on his self-named podcast Monday. “They’ve (No.) 48, they’ve (No.) 79, they’ve (No.) 122. They’re brief on picks. I feel Ian Cunningham, the brand new Falcons’ (common supervisor) in his first draft, wish to transfer again, get extra picks being that they’re brief on them this yr.”

The Falcons would not have a first-round decide after buying and selling it away final yr, and this draft marks the primary of the staff’s new regime that includes Cunningham and new coach Kevin Stefanski.

New regimes should not as tethered to gamers from previous entrance workplaces, and it seems Atlanta could try to promote excessive on a participant who has not delivered on his draft promise in his 5 seasons within the league.

Pitts, 25, had a pleasant rookie season in 2021 when he tallied 68 catches for 1,026 yards with one landing, however he tallied 356, 667 and 602 receiving yards within the subsequent three seasons, respectively.

Final season, Pitts lastly returned to the highest tiers of tight ends by hauling in a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards with a career-best 5 touchdowns.

The Falcons then put the franchise tag on Pitts this offseason which gave them the possibility to have him below contract for yet one more yr and probably work out a long-term deal.

Cunningham, although, stated earlier this offseason that he would not less than hearken to gives for Pitts, indicating that the union is probably not meant for the lengthy haul.

“It’s my job as the final supervisor to do what’s greatest for the group,” Cunningham stated in March, per ESPN. “Kyle is a good participant. We’ve seen his talent set. Additionally, it’s my job to hear.”

Groups may see Pitts as a possible match since this yr’s tight finish class is missing blue-chip expertise.

Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is taken into account a surefire first-round decide, with Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers having the possibility to be a late first-rounder.

One potential consider any deal may very well be whether or not the buying staff believes it could signal Pitts to an extension moderately than danger giving up beneficial picks for a one-year rental who has not proven consistency.