In the realm of fantasy football, a “unicorn” is a player of almost mythical talent, a statistical outlier who breaks the mold. For the Atlanta Falcons, that unicorn is tight end Kyle Pitts. After a historic rookie campaign in 2021, Pitts’ production waned due to injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. But in 2024, with a rejuvenated Kirk Cousins under center, Pitts is recapturing his magic – and igniting the Falcons’ playoff ambitions.
The Cousins Connection
The arrival of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has breathed new life into the Falcons offense, and no one has benefited more than Kyle Pitts. Through 8 games, Pitts has already matched his career high in touchdowns (3) while ranking among the league leaders in yards and receptions by a tight end.
Cousins, known for his precision passing, has unlocked Pitts’ downfield potential. In a Week 8 win over Tampa Bay, Cousins found Pitts for touchdowns of 36 and 49 yards, the latter Pitts’ longest scoring grab to date. As Cousins explained:
“That’s his game, being able to really run and pull away and use his length and size…if you play fast and play at the absolute ceiling with your speed and then play big, that’s where you’re gonna be the most dangerous.”
– Kirk Cousins on Kyle Pitts
Sophomore Slump No More
After his dazzling debut, Pitts struggled to replicate that success in years two and three. A torn MCL cut his 2022 season short, while the Falcons cycled through a carousel of quarterbacks. Even when healthy, Pitts often found himself smothered by double teams, his freakish abilities neutralized.
But in an offense now featuring Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and rookie sensation Bijan Robinson, defenses can no longer key on Pitts. The results speak for themselves:
- 419 receiving yards (4th among TEs)
- 29 catches (9th among TEs)
- 3 TDs (tied career high)
- 314 yards over last 4 games
Fantastic Finishes
For all his gifts, Pitts has occasionally struggled with focus, as evidenced by his near-gaffe against the Bucs. After securing a 49-yard bomb from Cousins, Pitts began coasting near the goal line, allowing Antoine Winfield Jr. to jar the ball loose. Luckily for Pitts, replays confirmed the score. “The tight end gods saved it,” a relieved Pitts quipped postgame.
Lapses aside, Pitts’ renewed dominance has electrified the Falcons’ faithful. Thanks in large part to their budding Cousins-Pitts connection, Atlanta finds itself in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. If the 24-year-old can sustain this level of play, a Pro Bowl return – and perhaps a long-awaited Falcons playoff run – could be on the horizon.
As teammate Drake London put it, a fully realized Kyle Pitts makes the Falcons’ attack downright “lethal.” For a franchise long starved for postseason success, the re-emergence of their offensive unicorn is a sight for sore eyes – and a potential terror for the rest of the league.
