3 ways Kyle Pitts could benefit the Carolina Panthers’ offense
By Will Burns
Rumors have been circulating about Kyle Pitts being the No. 1 player on the Carolina Panthers’ draft board. Here’s how he could help bolster the offense in 2021.
Kyle Pitts may be the best tight end prospect to ever enter the NFL Draft. He has freakish athletic ability, runs a 4.44 40-yard dash, and stands at 6-foot-6, weighing 240 pounds. The former Florida star possesses all the traits you could ask for an elite prospect at the position.
Plugging him into the Carolina Panthers’ offense would provide an immediate boost of playmaking, and he would be a security blanket for Sam Darnold in his first year with the franchise following his trade from the New York Jets.
The prospect of Pitts being around by the time Carolina is on the clock at No. 8 is slim. But here are some clear benefits to drafting the player if he did fall into their laps.
Benefit No. 1
Kyle Pitts’ ability to create mismatches
As of today, there are very few NFL linebackers and safeties who could cover Kyle Pitts. His mix of size, speed, and athleticism make him a matchup nightmare for any defense.
He’s already faster than most safeties and can win a jump ball with anyone on the field. Pitts’ route running is also top-notch for a tight end, in which he uses his speed to effectively break in and out of routes.
The most intriguing part of the Panthers‘ potentially drafting Pitts is how he would pair up with running back Christian McCaffrey. Their combined ability to torch linebackers would be on full display on any given down and opposing teams would have to pick and choose who to highlight defensively, creating more opportunities for the rest of the offense.
Teams would have no choice but to help contain Pitts over the middle of the field, making the jobs of other players on the offense a lot easier. Adding the generational talent would also help free up Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore on the outside, which would ultimately result in more vertical shots downfield due to less safety help over the top.
Watching linebackers attempt to cover Pitts is something the Panthers’ front office would love to see in 2021.