The trade rumors surrounding former fourth overall pick Kyle Pitts have begun to swirl yet again, something that has felt common over the last twelve months. While he began his career with a fantastic 68-catch season that saw him eclipse 1,000 yards, his career trajectory is no longer what it once was. In his last three seasons, Pitts had just over 1,600 yards.
In a recent article, Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire suggests the Patriots pursue the former top-five selection ahead of the season. At this point, though, I'm not sure how much sense that makes for the Patriots. There's no doubt the Patriots need playmakers and youth -- Pitts is just 24 -- but stylistically, I'm not sure he'd exactly what the team needs to have success in 2025.
Pitts is entering year five with the Falcons, who opted to pick up his fifth-year option over a year ago. He's owed nearly $11 million in 2025 and will be a free agent at the end of the season. I don't doubt Pitts' contract wouldn't be an issue: the Patriots have roughly $60 million in cap space.
What I would be more concerned about is the value he would provide relative to his contract and the role he would play in the offense.
The Patriots tight end room is already a position of strength
Tight end was arguably the strongest position on the team in 2024, and the team still rostered both of the main contributors in Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. Together, they combined for over a thousand yards, and both ranked in the top four in receiving yards on the team. Henry has two years remaining on his contract, while Hooper was re-signed for an additional year.
The addition of Pitts would be somewhat redundant to what the Patriots already have. Currently, Henry is a more reliable option than Pitts, and while he is better than Hooper, I'd hesitate to say that the trade assets required to acquire Pitts, along with his larger salary, are worth the upgrade.
In the TE2 role that Pitts is likely to hold initially, blocking is a crucial aspect. Pitts graded in at a very poor 46.1 PFF run blocking score. Comparatively, Hooper landed at a 65.9. Hooper fits the role better for what the Patriots like to do offensively.
Although the change of staff may change things, Josh McDaniels helped bring in Henry in 2021. McDaniels's Raiders signed Hooper before he left for the Patriots. The coaching staff no doubt has a level of comfort with both of them.
A role change for Kyle Pitts might be the better way to go
Pitts played as much in-line in 2024 as he did out wide and in the slot, a near even 51/49 split. For argument's sake, if the Patriots acquired Pitts, they could look to move him to a more permanent role as a big slot receiver. As a tight end, he may not be a great blocker, but with his frame, he could be an exceptional one as a wide out, something McDaniels values. The Patriots may not have the horses at receiver, and Pitts could alleviate some of that need.
But, at the point where a position change is the best course of action, why not go after another player? Perhaps Christian Watson would cost less draft capital and be a more sure thing at the position? A Quentin Johnston reclamation project would satisfy the faux big frame requirement.
Would the compensation necessary be worth it?
In all honesty, I wasn't sure what compensation for a player in Pitts' position would look like. In May, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggested the team move a third and fourth-round pick, as well as Austin Hooper, for the Atlanta TE.
Moving on from Hooper would allow Pitts a larger role in the offense, whether it be in-line or in the slot. Nonetheless, it would be an expensive scratch ticket. Matt Judon came off 32 sacks in 38 regular-season games with New England and went for a third-round pick. To offer that and more for a talented player who has been disappointing the past few seasons seems steep.
While I wouldn't be opposed to a move that brings in a talented young weapon, I'd be hesitant to move on from multiple draft picks and a solid contributor to do so if it meant getting a player in a position that isn't a major necessity.
Instead of looking at Pitts, the team should explore options that will be less costly to acquire. Perhaps one of the Packers' young receivers or the aforementioned Johnston? If the Patriots choose to invest more heavily, a more bona fide player at receiver could be a smarter option than a quasi-reclamation project.
While Pitts still has name value, talent, and time on his side, it's hard to envision a way the Patriots can get him for less than multiple draft picks before the season begins. Eliot Wolf and company should be keeping tabs in case of an injury to Henry, but all in all, there are more sensible options.