Less than three weeks away from the 2025 NFL draft, the tight end position is widely regarded as a gaping position of need for the New York Jets.
While many fans have turned their attention to top tight end prospects in this year’s draft class for the Jets (a la Penn State’s Tyler Warren), there are also trade options to consider.
One notable name is Kyle Pitts, whom ESPN’s Bill Barnwell projected the Jets would add in his latest mock draft.
Pitts is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which is a fifth-year option for $10.88 million. He has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason.
Should the Jets make an offer?
What does Kyle Pitts bring to the table?
Pitts, selected No. 4 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, remains the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.
Coming out of Flordia, Pitts was viewed as a generational talent and athletic freak, prompting him to be drafted that high.
The former Mackey Award winner (presented to the nation’s top tight end) turned in a standout rookie campaign, recording 68 receptions for 1,026 yards, the most yards by a rookie tight end since Mike Ditka in 1961. He led all tight ends with 15.1 yards per catch and ranked third at the position in receiving yards, although he found the end zone just once.
That level of play didn’t last for long.
Pitts’ production began to drop over the next few seasons. In 2022, the Florida product suffered a season-ending knee injury during Week 11, posting just 356 yards and two touchdowns with 28 receptions prior to the injury.
Pitts recovered ahead of the 2023 season and remained healthy. He played in all 17 games for Atlanta, hauling in 53 of his 90 targets for 667 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2024, Pitts continued to stay healthy, playing all 17 games for a second consecutive season while catching 47 passes for 602 yards and four touchdowns.
While the 24-year-old has been a reliable pass-catcher for Atlanta, he has not come close to reaching the ceiling he displayed as a rookie. In each of the last three seasons (2022-24), Pitts averaged less than 40 yards per game, well below his 60.4 yards per game as a rookie. Since 2022, Pitts is just 15th at the position in yards per game (36.9) and 16th in receiving touchdowns (9).
Pitts has flashed potential but has fallen far short of the “generational talent” label he carried into the NFL.
Despite showcasing elite athleticism and receiving ability at times, Pitts has struggled with route running, lacking explosiveness and creating little separation.
Most concerning, however, has been his blocking, an area that has become increasingly important for Jets tight ends, as Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania pointed out.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pitts earned a 55.6 run-blocking grade during his rookie season. That number dipped slightly to 52.2 in 2022, fell to a career-low of 31.2 in 2023, and ticked up only slightly to 46.1 in 2024.
For a player who doesn’t block well, averaging fewer than 40 receiving yards per game for three consecutive seasons is not enough to classify him as a top-tier player at the position.
What should the NY Jets give up for Pitts?
While the Jets should kick the tires on Pitts due to their pressing need at the position, they should not give up too much for the underwhelming tight end.
At most, the Jets could offer a conditional fifth-round pick in 2026, which becomes a fourth if he eclipses 650 receiving yards. Anything more would be a mistake by general manager Darren Mougey, especially with the 2025 NFL draft boasting a deep tight end class.
This year’s draft class features tight ends who can contribute as both receivers and blockers from rounds one through four, something Pitts has not consistently proven he can do.
That said, Pitts does bring some upside. He’s an athletic freak who would likely emerge as the Jets’ top receiving tight end. However, that upside must be weighed against the fact that he has not lived up to his pre-draft billing and remains a liability as a blocker.
At the right price, Pitts could be a smart addition to the Jets’ pass-catching corps. It would be a low-risk, high-reward gamble on the former No. 4 overall pick in 2021, but it only makes sense for a fair package.
