Revisiting the 2021 NFL Draft and the Falcons decision to draft Kyle Pitts

With the 4th overall pick and a new regime in Atlanta, the Falcons were primed to begin an inevitable rebuild with Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot, who were expected to draft a quarterback as Matt Ryan‘s successor. Instead, they made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.

The move was a clear signal that Smith believed he could navigate around the quarterback position if the rest of the roster was up to par. In Pitts’ first year, it was hard to argue with the logic. Even with an aging Matt Ryan, the Falcons offense was highlighted by a record-breaking rookie year from their generational tight end.

Since then, it’s been nothing but negativity. Whether it’s injuries, poor quarterback play, or play callers who can’t seem to make Pitts a focal point in the offense, it’s become increasingly clear that the Falcons are never going to get what they thought they’d get out of the Florida product.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but the Falcons had clear needs elsewhere. Pass rusher is a perpetual need, and it was back then. Offensive line, cornerback, safety, and quarterback were also considered among Atlanta’s biggest roster needs at that time.

Here’s the top 12 picks from the 2021 cycle:

1) Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick – QB Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)

2) New York Jets

Pick – QB Zach Wilson (BYU)

3) San Francisco 49ers (from HOU through MIA)

Pick – QB Trey Lance (North Dakota State)

4) Atlanta Falcons

Pick – TE Kyle Pitts (Florida)

5) Cincinnati Bengals

Pick – WR Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)

6) Miami Dolphins (from PHI)

Pick – WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)

7) Detroit Lions

Pick – OT Penei Sewell (Oregon)

8) Carolina Panthers

Pick – CB Jaycee Horn (South Carolina)

9) Denver Broncos

Pick – CB Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)

10) Philadelphia Eagles (from DAL)

Pick – WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama)

11) Chicago Bears (from NYG)

Pick – QB Justin Fields (Ohio State)

12) Dallas Cowboys (from PHI through SF through MIA)

Pick – LB Micah Parsons (Penn State)

Outside of the signal callers, the Falcons passed on several prospects who are in the conversation for the best player at their respective positions, positions that were also needs for the Falcons back then.

Ja’Marr Chase reuniting with Joe Burrow is poetic, but the Falcons passed on the best receiving prospect since Julio Jones was coming out of Alabama. His teammate during the 2019 National Championship, Justin Jefferson, was setting NFL records as a rookie with the Vikings, and the Falcons GM and head coach saw that but decided not to draft Chase, who was undoubtedly better than Jefferson in college.

The Falcons also needed offensive line help, and Penei Sewell is among the best linemen in football. Coming out of Oregon, the American Samoan was regarded as not only the best offensive lineman but arguably the best prospect in the draft, regardless of position. For a former offensive lineman himself, Arthur Smith choosing to draft a tight end was a little surprising.

Ever since drafting A.J. Terrell, Atlanta has been looking for his running mate, and they could’ve drafted the best cornerback in football in Pat Surtain, but passing on the Alabama product doesn’t hurt as much as seeing Micah Parsons terrorize quarterbacks in Dallas. The Falcons have been looking for a dominant pass rusher since John Abraham left Atlanta, and Parsons is in the conversation for the best player in football.

Again, hindsight is 20/20, but looking back at the 2021 NFL Draft, all Falcons fans can take solace in is that they didn’t trade multiple first-round picks for Trey Lance or use the second overall pick on Zach Wilson.

Thinking optimistically, Kyle Pitts’ story is still not over, but it’s getting increasingly difficult to defend the pick.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

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