The Falcons exercised Pitts' 2025 fifth-year option, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a no-brainer move for the Falcons, even if Pitts, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2021 Draft, is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons after going over 1,000 yards as a rookie. The hope in Atlanta is that the acquisition of Kirk Cousins coupled with the new coaching staff can help maximize Pitts' abilities. Pitts' figures to be a popular 2024 rebound candidate in both real life and fantasy football.

Pitts looks set to benefit from improved quarterback play, with Kirk Cousins (Achilles) slated to sign a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta, Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts could be the Falcons' skill-position player most primed to benefit from a quarterback upgrade, having begun his NFL career with a 1,026-yard rookie campaign while paired with an aged Matt Ryan in 2021, and since turned in 356- and 667-yard efforts while catching passes from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, plus battling injuries. Fantasy managers may be too fatigued to make Pitts a true consensus breakout candidate for the 2024 campaign, in addition to Cousins likely being the best quarterback he's played with in his career, even coming off an Achilles tear, there's more at work in favor of the 2021 fourth overall pick, and once-consensus 'generational prospect.' Pitts will get to enter this offseason at full health after having to rehab from an MCL sprain last year, and the departure of fellow pass-catching tight end Jonnu Smith to Miami opens a path back up to an uncontested starting role.

Pitts finished the 2023 season with 53 receptions on 90 targets for 667 yards and three touchdowns across 17 appearances.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts didn't turn in a Year 3 breakout, but he was at least consistent producer, securing multiple receptions in all but one game. Most importantly, Pitts played all 17 games in 2023 after suffering a season-ending MCL sprain in his right knee in Week 11 of the 2022 campaign. Many fantasy managers have abandoned hope of Pitts emerging as a top-tier tight end, but with a healthy offseason and a new coaching staff in place in 2024, the 2021 No. 4 overall pick may be primed to take a step forward during the final year of his rookie contract. However, Jonnu Smith, who flourished during his first campaign in Atlanta, remains under contract for 2024, so he could continue to siphon some targets and opportunities away from Pitts next season.

Pitts posted one catch (on five targets) for five yards during Sunday's 37-17 loss in Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

No matter who's been under center for the Falcons this season, Pitts hauled in multiple passes in each of the team's first 15 games of the season, but Taylor Heinicke misfired on all four of his throws directed at the tight end before Desmond Ridder connected with Pitts for five yards late in the fourth quarter. Instead, Atlanta's offense focused on RB Bijan Robinson (18 touches) and WR Drake London (four catches on 10 targets), with no other player seeing more than RB Tyler Allgeier's six touches. Pitts will look to bounce back Week 18 on the road against a Saints defense that has allowed the fourth-most TDs (seven) to opposing TEs in 16 games on the campaign.

Pitts brought in three of four targets for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 29-10 win over the Colts on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The talented but often underused tight end was able to put the Falcons on the board for the first time on the afternoon with a 24-yard scoring grab in the first quarter, his second touchdown in the last three games. Pitts' three-catch tally was also his third straight, and he could have a chance at more productive outings over the last two games of the season with Taylor Heinicke now at quarterback in place of the inconsistent Desmond Ridder.

Pitts brought in three of four targets for 37 yards in the Falcons' 9-7 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts' catch total, modest as it was, led the Falcons on the afternoon. The third-year tight end also paced the team in targets, with the low bar across all major receiving categories a reflection of the combination of Desmond Ridder's mediocre play and head coach Arthur Smith's conservative offensive mentality. Pitts had eclipsed 50 yards in back-to-back games for the first time this season in Weeks 13 and 14, but his downturn Sunday is a reminder of how difficult it is to trust any component of the Falcons' air attack during the fantasy playoffs.

Pitts brought in three of six targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 29-25 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts finished a distant second in receiving yards to Drake London (172) on the afternoon for the Falcons, but the underused tight end did make a big splash with a 36-yard touchdown grab early in the second quarter on a nicely thrown ball from Desmond Ridder. Pitts has drawn 14 total targets over the last two games, which has netted a 7-108 line in that span. Pitts' next opportunity to build on the momentum comes in a Week 15 road matchup against the Panthers.

Pitts caught four of eight targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 13-8 win over the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts led the Falcons in targets, catches and receiving yards as Desmond Ridder threw for only 121 yards in this defensive battle. Atlanta's poor quarterback play coupled with coach Arthur Smith's run-heavy game plans have limited Pitts' effectiveness, as this was only the third time the talented tight end surpassed 50 receiving yards in 12 appearances this season. In Week 14, Pitts will face the Buccaneers, against whom he had three catches for 47 yards in a Week 7 win.

Pitts hauled in both targets for 22 yards in the Falcons' 24-15 win over the Saints on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The talented tight end was once again a virtual afterthought in the air attack, dispelling any hopes that he might have a more expanded role coming out of the team's Week 11 bye. Pitts has topped four receptions just twice all season and last accomplished the feat in Week 5, while the 56 yards he mustered against the Vikings in Week 9 serves as his high-water mark in that category since that contest as well.

Pitts caught three of five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 25-23 loss to the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

The five targets actually led the Falcons on the day as Taylor Heinicke (hamstring) and Desmond Ridder combined for a woeful 21 pass attempts and 94 yards. Pitts has caught at least three passes in five straight games, but while his fantasy floor seems to have stabilized, his ceiling remains all but absent -- the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has just one TD during that stretch, the only one he's scored all year, and his best showing in those five games is a mere 56 yards. Pitts and the Falcons will get a bye next week, but he might be able to make an impact in Week 12 against a Saints defense that's suddenly looked vulnerable to tight ends, getting lit up by T.J. Hockenson and Cole Kmet in consecutive weeks.