3 major trade packages Patriots could offer for Falcons TE Kyle Pitts
The former Florida Gator was a matchup nightmare in college and a tight end in name only. At 6-foot-6 with elite speed, Pitts was billed as a unicorn, a hybrid weapon too athletic for linebackers and too big for corners. That promise led to him being selected fourth overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the Falcons, which is the highest a tight end has ever gone.
Since then, the results have been...fine.
Pitts had a strong rookie year, finishing with over 1,000 receiving yards, but he hasn’t come close to replicating that production since. His last three seasons:
- 2022: 28 receptions, 356 yards, 2 touchdowns
- 2023: 53 receptions, 667 yards, 3 touchdowns
- 2024: 47 receptions, 602 yards, 1 touchdown
Injuries, inconsistent quarterback play and schematic misuse have all contributed to his stalled development. Now entering his age-25 season and the final year of his rookie deal (with a fully guaranteed $10.8M fifth-year option), Pitts is at a crossroads, and Atlanta may be willing to move on.
Why Kyle Pitts Makes Sense for New England
The Patriots are in the early stages of rebuilding around rookie quarterback Drake Maye. They have cap space, a need for more offensive firepower and the flexibility to take calculated swings on upside talent.
Pitts checks every box.
If he succeeds, he becomes a core piece of the Maye era. If not, they move on after the season with minimal long-term damage. It's the kind of risk a team in New England’s position should be taking, especially considering the relatively weak tight end market in both free agency and the draft.
With that in mind, let’s break down three potential trade packages the Patriots could explore to acquire Pitts.
Option A: Conditional draft pick flyer
Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Patriots receive:
- Kyle Pitts
- 2026 seventh-round pick
Falcons receive:
- 2026 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Condition Details:
- Becomes a third-round pick if Pitts makes a Pro Bowl or All-Pro in 2025 and signs a new deal below top-10 tight end AAV
- Becomes a second-round pick if Pitts makes a Pro Bowl or All-Pro and signs a deal above top-10 TE AAV
- Remains a fourth-rounder if the Patriots let him walk in free agency or if he underperforms. If he extends, above or below top-10 tight end AAV, but doesn't make Pro Bowl or All-Pro, it is a fourth-rounder.
Why it works:This is a classic "prove-it" trade. Atlanta gets future value if Pitts thrives in New England, while the Patriots protect themselves from overpaying. A flexible structure like this can bridge the gap between perceived value and actual production.
Option B: Aggressive draft capital move
Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches a touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Patriots receive:
- Kyle Pitts
- 2026 seventh-round pick
Falcons receive:
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2026 sixth-round pick (acquired from Kansas City in the Joshua Uche trade)
Why it works:This version skips conditions and sweeteners. It’s a more aggressive approach from New England, offering a Day 2 pick and an additional sixth-rounder to entice Atlanta. The pick swap (seventh for sixth) helps slightly balance the scales. If the Patriots believe in Pitts' upside, this is a cleaner, faster deal.
Option C: The creative player swap
Dec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Patriots receive:Kyle Pitts2025 fifth-round pick
Falcons receive:Kendrick Bourne (WR)Austin Hooper (TE)2025 sixth-round pick
Why it works:This is a rare player-for-player trade that could benefit both teams. The Patriots send out two veteran contributors—Kendrick Bourne, who is coming off an injury and may be on the roster bubble, and Austin Hooper, a serviceable TE2 who signed as depth.
In return, they get a younger, more dynamic player in Pitts, while preserving draft flexibility. Pitts wouldn’t need to be the focal point right away, sitting behind Hunter Henry and surrounded by targets like Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams. He could develop without pressure while the Patriots evaluate his long-term fit.
Atlanta gets two experienced, lower-cost veterans to help a playoff-caliber roster, while moving on from a player who may need a change of scenery. Plus, they pick up an extra Day 3 pick in the process.
Final thoughts: Should the Patriots pull the trigger?
If the price is right, absolutely.
Kyle Pitts hasn’t lived up to the No. 4 overall hype, but that doesn't mean his value is gone. He’s still a 25-year-old, 6-foot-6 athletic freak with a 1,000-yard season on his résumé. For a rebuilding team with a young quarterback on a rookie deal, a stable veteran tight end in Henry and a glaring need for explosive upside, Pitts is a gamble worth taking.
Whether it’s a conditional pick, a draft package or a creative player swap, the Patriots have the flexibility and motivation to make something happen. The only question is: Do they believe they can unlock what Atlanta couldn’t?
