Atlanta Falcons 90-Man Roster Analysis: Receivers/Tight Ends

The Falcons plan to play Pitts at tight end and wide receiver.

“He’s basically learning to play two different positions,” Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. “There’s a tight end position and a receiver position. So he’s got a lot of work to do. He’s doing really well. I’m just excited to see him continue to get more comfortable in the system.”

The Falcons have big ambitions for Pitts.

“The sky’s the limit as to what kind of season he can have,” Robinson said.

Pitts had a strong rookie season in 2021 and nearly broke Mike Ditka’s record for receiving yards by a rookie. Ditka had 1,076 yards in 14 games in 1961. Pitts had 1,026 in 17 games.

But Pitts’ production has plummeted after the Matt Ryan trade and a series of injuries, including season-ending knee surgery in 2022.

Despite recent history, the regime has big plans for Pitts.

“We’ll move him around the lineup,” Robinson said. “We’ll use him as a blocker. We’ll use him as a receiver. We’ll use him all over the line.”

New tight ends coach Kevin Koger did a film study of every single one of Pitts’ NFL games.

“He played fast,” Koger said of Pitts’ rookie season. “He looked young and sharp. He’s still young and sharp. He’s 23. … He played fast and loose.”

One play stood out for Koger. It came during the game against Buffalo on January 2, 2022.

“He was running toward a cross-country route,” Koger said. “He broke a tackle and ran about 60 yards (61 actually). That was the biggest thing. The guy is fast. He played fast.”

Pitts ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds at his Pro Day at the University of Florida in 2021. Due to injuries in 2022 and 2023, he hasn’t played as fast.

“You could see that speed translate on the field that year when he was healthy,” Koger said. “He was going full speed. He’s looking forward to getting back to that form.”

Last season, Pitts didn’t look as “young and sharp” or as fast after knee surgery.

“There were things, even he’ll probably tell you he didn’t feel 100 percent, but Kyle’s a tough kid,” Koger said. “He wasn’t the type of guy that said, ‘Well, no, I can’t play.’ If he was good enough to play, he was going to play. I think part of it was that he had a sore knee and didn’t have the confidence to put his foot on the ground and change direction.”

Koger saw progress during the offseason.

“He’s getting to a point where he feels confident,” Koger said. “He’s starting to play faster.”

He’s back to change direction.

“I think part of it was an unexpected change of direction, when he had to go around a defender that he didn’t expect to be there,” Koger said. “I think part of it was that. That was probably the biggest thing, the change of direction, the quick run. The straight line was never a problem for him, but when those miles are kind of piling up on the knee and you’re coming off a significant injury, those things can be tough.”

Koger agrees with Pitts playing wide receiver and expanding his role in the offense.

“The biggest thing with Kyle is the best players are the ones with the most to give,” Koger said. “He’s got a lot to give. He can handle it.”

The Falcons are hoping Pitts, who is listed as 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds by the team, will create imbalances.

“So that’s the biggest thing for him is being able to retain information,” said Koger, who played tight end at Michigan. “Doing it from multiple positions and knowing that we’re asking him to do more than some of the other guys on the team because he has a lot of room to maneuver.”

Pitts has lived up to the increased workload this offseason.

“He handled it well,” Koger said. “He was very diligent in studying the playbook, knowing where to stand and handling the details.”

The Falcons like how Pitts has approached his new role this offseason.

“He’s ready to work,” Koger said. “He texts me at night and in the morning. When I’m in the office, he wants to come by and watch the routes. So, he wants it. I’m more than willing to give it to him. He’s had a great attitude so far.”

Robinson, who is in his first season as an NFL offensive coordinator, has worked out different ways to involve Pitts.

“There’s so much in there,” said Robinson, who played quarterback at Oklahoma State. “Obviously, (everyone) sees the athleticism.”

The Falcons will try to get some answers to some questions during the exhibition season.

“What can he do when the ball is in the air?” Robinson asked. “What can he do with the ball in his hands? I’m really excited to see him as a blocker. I think that potential is untapped. I think he’s ready and he wants to do it. He wants to be a complete tight end.”

Patrick Kramer, an offensive assistant, helps Koger with the tight ends.

“I saw what Koger and Patrick Kramer did in that room with him, it was awesome,” Robinson said. “He has so much flexibility in what he can do.”

Pitts, who is nearly in a contract year after the team picked up his $10.4 million fifth-year option, feels healthy.

“Everybody likes to feel 1,000 percent and in their normal state,” Pitts said. “I would say it wasn’t so bad during the games, it was more (preparation) during the week. I had to deal with that pain and that tension throughout the week. Then Sunday was just show day. So you can get through it Sunday. But the whole week was just a nightmare.”

Ike Hilliard, who played 12 seasons in the NFL (1997-2008) after shining at Florida under Steve Spurrier, will take over as receivers coach. He has coached receivers in the NFL with the Dolphins (2011), Commanders (2012, 2014-19), Bills (2013) and Steelers (2020-21). He coached at Auburn in 2022 and with the Florida Tuskers in the United Football League in 2009-10.

“I have a personal relationship with Ray-Ray,” Hilliard said. “I had Ray-Ray in Pittsburgh in 2020 and 2021, so I know exactly who he is. I’m grateful to management for allowing Ray-Ray to be here. He’s a fearless returner. He was primarily a returner, but now he gets a chance to compete exclusively at receiver.”

-AJC columnist Ken Sugiura contributed to this article.

FALCONS 90 MAN DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE

QB – Kirk Cousins, Taylor Heinicke, Michael Penix Jr., John Paddock

RB – Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, Carlos Washington Jr., Jase McClellan

FB – Robert Burns

WR – Drake London, Josh Ali, Austin Mack, Greg Washington, Dylan Drummond

Slot WRs – Rondale Moore, Ray-Ray McCloud

TE – Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, John FitzPatrick, Austin Stogner, Ross Dwelley

WR – Darnell Mooney, KhaDarel Hodge, Chris Blair, Isaiah Wooden, Daylen Baldwin, OJ Hiliare.

LT – Jake Matthews, Tyler Vrabel, Barry Wesley, Andrew Stueber

LG – Matthew Bergeron, John Leglue, Ryan Coll

C – Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil, Jovaughn Gwyn

RG – Chris Lindstrom, Kyle Hinton,

RT – Kaleb McGary, Storm Norton, Jaryd Jones-Smith

DEFENSE 3-4 Alignment

FROM – Zach Harrison, Kentavius ​​Street, Demone Harris, James Smith-Williams, Brandon Dorlus

NT – David Onyemata, LaCale London, Tommy Togiai, Eddie Goldman, Zion Logue

DT – Grady Jarrett, Kentavius ​​Street, Ta’Quon Graham, Prince Emil, Ruke Orhorhoro

LOLB – Arnold Ebiketie, Bradlee Anae, Kehinde Oginni

LILB – Kaden Elliss, Donavan Mutin, Milo Eifler

RILB – Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, JD Bertrand

ROLB – Lorenzo Carter, DeAngelo Malone, Bralen Trice

CB – AJ Terrell, Antonio Hamilton, Jayden Price, Anthony Sao

CB Nickel – Mike Hughes, Dee Alford, Trey Vaval

FS – Jessie Bates III, Micah Abernathy, Tre Tarpley III

SS – DeMarcco Hellams, Richie Grant, Lukas Denis, Dane Cruikshank

CB – Clark Phillips III, Natrone Brooks, Kevin King

SPECIAL TEAMS

K-Younghoe Koo

P/H – Bradley Pinion, Ryan Sanborn

LS – Liam McCullough

Public Relations – Ray-Ray McCloud or Avery Williams

KOR – Ray-Ray McCloud or Avery Williams

Analysis of the Falcons’ 90-man roster:

Part 1: Running Backs

Part 2: Quarterbacks

Part 3: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Part 4: The Offensive Line

Part 5: Defensive Line

Part 6: The linebackers

Part 7: Secondary

Part 8: Special Teams

The Bow Tie Chronicles