Should I Drop Kyle Pitts In Fantasy Football? Week 5 Waiver Wire Outlook

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts seems to have all the tools to be an impact player. Unfortunately, the third-year pro has been unable to produce in Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's run-heavy offensive scheme.

The former first-round pick has recorded just 11 catches across the team's first four games of 2023.

Will things get any better for Kyle Pitts? Should you drop Kyle Pitts from your fantasy football roster in Week 5?

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What Has Kyle Pitts Done This Season?

The short answer is "not much". Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's seeming refusal to utilize the talented Pitts has become a running joke in the fantasy football community. However, Pitts' fantasy managers aren't laughing, as the third-year tight end whom many consider to be a physical unicorn has failed to produce any usable statistics through the Falcons' first four games.

Pitts has recorded just 11 catches for 121 yards and no TDs in 2023. The Atlanta offense plays at a molasses-like pace and is content to focus on the running game. The squad currently ranks 29th in the NFL in pass attempts per game (29.8), which has resulted in Pitts seeing a pedestrian 21 targets through the first four games of the season.

Arthur Smith please trade Kyle Pitts pic.twitter.com/vlDZRUemml

— Mac N D (@Mac_N_D_) September 24, 2023

Warning Signs For Kyle Pitts

As if it's not bad enough that Pitts is stuck in an offense that would rather walk through fire than throw the football, the 22-year-old phenom is also dealing with a horrible quarterback in Desmond Ridder, as well as target competition at the tight end position with Jonnu Smith.

Smith, the former Titan and Patriot, has actually outproduced Pitts in both catches and receiving yards on just one less target, while second-year Atlanta quarterback Ridder currently ranks 31st in the NFL in QBR.

After four games:

Kyle Pitts: 11-121-0 (21 targets)
Jonnu Smith: 15-179-0 (20 targets)

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 1, 2023

Should I Drop Kyle Pitts In Fantasy Football?

It's always tough to part with a player that you firmly believe is talented. Unfortunately, Pitts' physical gifts simply aren't enough to make him fantasy-relevant at this point in his career.

Smith's run-first philosophy has only become further solidified in 2023 with the addition of dazzling rookie running back Bijan Robinson. Unfortunately, even if the Falcons were willing to open up their passing attack, there's been little indication that Desmond Ridder is capable of being even a mediocre passer at the NFL level.

It all spells disaster for Pitts and his fantasy managers, as his 1,026 receiving yards in his rookie season feels like a decade ago. Barring a midseason quarterback change to Atlanta backup Taylor Heinicke, Pitts appears doomed from a fantasy perspective in 2023. While managers in dynasty leagues have little choice but to ride out the storm and hope for brighter days, those in standard leagues have no such luxury and can drop Pitts ahead of Week 5.

It is time.

Drop Kyle Pitts.@MichaelFFlorio and I will not be taking questions at this time. pic.twitter.com/Bv3hTRNyBG

— Matt Okada (@MattOkada) October 1, 2023

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