Kyle Pitts

Kyle Pitts is locked into the franchise tag for this season after recording an elite 90.4-percent Route Participation rate and a 22.9-percent Target Share last year. Instead of staging a contract holdout, the tight end is fully bought into new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system to build on his 516 routes run from last season.

Under this new offensive design, expect his route tree to expand significantly past last year’s heavy diet of flats and hitches to solidify his high-ceiling TE1 status. At just 25.6 years of age, Pitts could conceivable jump back into the Top-5 dynasty tight end conversation this season.

The Falcons are preparing to open training camp without Michael Penix Jr., as the coaching staff maintains a patient “no rush” approach to his recovery. Although leadership suggests he is in a “good spot,” there is no definitive timeline for his return beyond a general hope for availability later in the preseason. According to Ryan, Atlanta expects Penix to be healthy “at some point in training camp.”

As a result, Tua Tagovailoa is currently acting as the primary quarterback and will likely start Week 1 if the Falcons continue to slow-play Penix’s recovery. Both Penix and Tagovailoa were Top-10 picks, but the organization is invested in Penix, while Tua was signed off the NFL scrap heap. Penix’s absence from camp is a buy low opportunity in superflex dynasty leagues.

After a season that saw Kyle Pitts record 88 receptions for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns, the Atlanta Falcons plan to use the franchise tag on the star tight end in hopes of working out a long-term deal. Pitts led the Falcons in receptions for the 2025 season and set career highs in targets, receptions and fantasy points. The use of the tag for Kyle Pitts is a savvy move by the Falcons, as it would lock in a price tag of roughly $15M, relatively cheap compared to market standards for finding the same production from a wide receiver.

Pitt’s staying in Atlanta is great news for fantasy managers, as new head coach Kevin Stefanski has always used 12- and 13-personnel formations, featuring the tight end to create mismatches and generate fantasy production, as seen with David Njoku and Harold Fannin. Pitts currently has an ADP of 68 on FastDraft. Does this news change his fantasy outlook and draft position heading into the 2026 season?

Author: Dane Madoche (@FF_DaMaddog)

Kyle Pitts had a massive game for the Atlanta Falcons as they topped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Pitts put up 166 yards and three touchdowns on 11 receptions.

The Falcons offense as a whole performed well, Bijan Robinson took 19 carries for 93 yards and score while adding eight catches for 82 yards. Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, as he continued his dominance over the Bucs.

Pitts has been a boom bust tight end for most of his career but he showed his ceiling in this game, Robinson remains an elite running back and should continue to deliver for fantasy managers for the rest of the fantasy playoffs.

Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)

Fantasy managers got some unfortunate news that Drake London is now questionable with a hip injury and is in danger of missing a cake matchup versus the Dolphins. After an 8.2 fantasy point performance Week 7 against the 49ers, London will be in a great spot to rebound should he play Sunday.

Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts will be sneaky winners should London miss. With Kirk Cousins getting the start in place of an injured Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons will logically feed Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The Dolphins defense is dead last against the run. Fire up all active Falcons this week versus the Dolphins. 

Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)