Could the Atlanta Falcons convince the New York Jets to pull off this wild trade?
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell released his annual mock draft in which he highlights a potential trade at every selection, and the Jets come away with a highly intriguing return.
Barnwell had the Jets sending the No. 7 overall pick and a 2026 third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the No. 15 overall pick and tight end Kyle Pitts, who was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
“This trade would implicitly value Pitts as being worth the No. 66 pick in a typical draft,” wrote Barnwell.
“I’d argue that’s generous given his performance the past two seasons, but he’s still a former top-five pick at a position that regularly needs development,” he continued. “The Jets aren’t really in the market for front-seven players, but they could look toward wide receiver or an offensive lineman at No. 15 while adding a new top tight end.”
Pitts, 24, was viewed as a generational talent entering the 2021 NFL draft. Atlanta selected him with the fourth overall pick, making him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.
The Florida product had a highly productive rookie season, posting 1,026 receiving yards (third among tight ends), 15.1 yards per reception (first among tight ends), and 68 receptions, although he only caught one touchdown. His 1,026 yards were the most by a rookie tight end since Mike Ditka in 1961.
However, Pitts’ production has dipped in recent seasons. In 2022, he totaled just 356 yards and two touchdowns on 28 receptions while playing in only 10 games.
During the 2023 season, Pitts appeared in all 17 games, finishing with 667 yards and three touchdowns while catching 53 of his 90 targets.
In 2024, Pitts again played 17 games, recording 602 yards and four touchdowns on 47 receptions.
While he has not fully lived up to his generational hype, Pitts has proven to be a productive receiving tight end. The Jets have a significant need at tight end since losing Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah in free agency.
New York’s current tight ends under contract include Jeremy Ruckert, Zack Kuntz, Neal Johnson, and free-agent addition Stone Smartt. Johnson and Kuntz have yet to log an NFL target, while Ruckert and Kuntz have combined for fewer than 650 yards over the past three seasons.
Pitts would be the reliable pass catcher the Jets need at tight end for the 2025 season. However, would New York view him as worthy of a 2026 third-round pick and an eight-spot fall in this year’s first round? As Barnwell noted, this package is equivalent in value to the No. 66 overall pick (high third-round).
Given Pitts’ production since 2022 (under 40 YPG in three consecutive seasons), it seems unlikely the Jets would be willing to give up such a package. It also must be considered that Pitts is not known as a great blocker, which will be an important skill for the Jets’ tight ends.
If the price were more realistic, perhaps the Jets would consider buying low on the talented but underachieving tight end.
