Former Gators great Kyle Pitts goes No. 4 overall to Atlanta Falcons

The No. 1 player in the 2021 NFL Draft, former Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts did not have to wait long to hear his name called on draft night. Pitts was the first non-quarterback taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, and deservedly so. Pitts cemented himself as a top-five pick in the draft after an incredible junior season.

It was clear that the Falcons should take Pitts, and they made the wise decision to pass on a future quarterback and roll with former NFL MVP Matt Ryan. The Falcons offense will be incredible in 2021, and their first-year head coach Arthur Smith ran the most 12 personnel in the NFL at 35%. That had to have been a big reason Atlanta made the pick.

That means that the Falcons will likely be in base 12 personnel all the time, with Pitts and Hayden Hurst at tight end, and then Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley at wide receiver. Good luck to the NFL defenses trying to match up against that and trying to not get gashed every single week.

Pitts couldn’t have fallen into a better place, as he will not be able to be double-teamed in Atlanta and have 1v1 matchups every single down. He has a chance to have an impressive rookie season and be part of a special offense.

It is rare for a tight end to be drafted so high, but Pitts is a unicorn, and he has legitimate Hall of Fame potential. Atlanta made the right decision by taking Pitts, and it will be fun to follow his career. Having a quarterback like Ryan and other veteran pass catchers to help him will be huge.

Hail Florida Hail wants to thank Pitts for all the fun memories, and we wish him well in the NFL. Go be great, and we know you will be.