Cutting Through the Noise, Week 16

Photo: USA Today Sports

Each week in Cutting Through the Noise, we will take an objective look at one of the most polarizing players in Dynasty Fantasy Football as decided by the Footballguys Dynasty Discord. We will use the Footballguys consensus rankings to gauge where the player is currently valued.

Kyle Pitts

TE3 and Overall No. 33

Before this season, arguments were being had that Kyle Pitts may just deserve to be the top overall pick in Dynasty drafts. Now, with 16 games in the books, we’re wondering if he’s even the top overall Tight end.

Pitts kicked off his college career with the Florida Gators in 2018. As a true freshman, he struggled to get involved. In his defense, he was playing alongside four future NFL receivers in Van Jefferson, Kadarius Toney, Freddie Swain, and Tyrie Cleveland. He finished the season with just three catches.

Pitts’ incredible college career kicked off as a sophomore when he earned the starting Tight end role. It didn’t hurt that Florida upgraded its starting Quarterback by handing the reins to Kyle Trask in relief of Feleipe Franks. Pitts caught 54 passes for 649 yards and 5 touchdowns. He led all Gators in receptions and was third amongst all tight ends across FBS. At this point, he’s a fantastic athlete and a solid tight end, but the true legend doesn’t begin until Pitts’ junior year.

In 2020 Pitts caught 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. Against Ole Miss, he tied a school record for most touchdowns in a single game (4). This record came in addition to 8 catches for 170 yards and that game. This was one of three games where he accounted for multiple touchdowns. If the level of competition was a concern, insert the SEC Championship game against Alabama, where he caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Pitts finished declared for the 2020 NFL Draft as the Mackey Award winner, earned unanimous first-team All-American, and was a Heisman finalist. By the way, he’s 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds and runs a 4.44 40-yard dash.

Pitts was as close to a perfect Tight end prospect as one could get, so it came as no surprise that he was drafted higher than any Tight end in NFL history. In rookie drafts, he was selected anywhere from first overall to seventh overall.