We are officially in Draft week, with the 2021 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday night. As we are closing in on the annual selection meeting, we are taking a look at some of the players who might be Miami Dolphins draft targets. The Dolphins enter the first round of the Draft with two picks coming Thursday night, the sixth-overall and the 18th-overall selections, giving the team flexibility to target some of the top talent coming out of college this year.
From now through Thursday, we will bring you a series of posts about potential Dolphins draft prospects, taking a look at the player’s measurables, what analysts are saying about the player, and how he could fit in with the Dolphins.
Next up on the list, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts:
College Career
Career: 24 games, 100 rec, 1,492 yards, 18 TDs
- Freshman (2018, Florida): 3 games, 3 rec, 73 yards, 1 TD
- Sophomore (2019, Florida): 13 games, 54 rec, 649 yards, 5 TDs
- Junior (2020, Florida): 8 games, 43 rec, 770 yards, 12 TDs, John Mackey Award (Nation’s top tight end) winner
Measurements
From Florida pro day:
Height: 6’ 5-5/8”
Weight: 245 lbs
Arm Length: 33-31/2”
Hand size: 10-5/8”
Spider Chart (via MockDraftable.com)
Combine-style testing
From Florida pro day:
Bench Press: 22 reps
Vertical: 33-1/2”
Broad jump: 10’ 9”
40-yard dash: 4.44 sec
20-yard shuttle: 4.30 sec
3-cone drill: 7.12 sec
What the are saying
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com - While the player comparison for the purposes of this scouting report is Darren Waller, Pitts may have the traits and talent to create mismatches similar to those created by Calvin Johnson and Tyreek Hill. His rare blend of size, athleticism and ball skills are reminiscent of Megatron’s. His ability as a pass-catching tight end could force defenses in his division to alter the way they construct their roster. He’s a tough matchup for most linebackers and too big for most cornerbacks. He offers offensive coordinators the ability to align him all over the field and, like Waller, can become a highly targeted, highly productive pass catcher from the tight end position. He puts in effort as a blocker but with limited success. That’s not what makes him special, though. Along with Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Pitts has a chance to become the biggest game-changer in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com - Pitts stands out against the best competition at the collegiate level. In the LSU game last season, he beat one of the top cornerbacks (Derek Stingley Jr.) and one of the best safeties (Grant Delpit) in the country. I love his athleticism, but I was even more impressed with his instincts and savvy as a route runner. He understands how to work and settle in space versus zone coverage and he also has a good feel for attacking the leverage of his defender. That bodes well for his adjustment to the NFL game.
Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network - Kyle Pitts is an amazingly athletic pass catcher who’s a receiver in a tight end’s body. He’s agile, fluid, and a natural pass catcher. Pitts was a dominant tight end who took over games at the college level. And he usually did so against the opponent’s top cornerback. He has tremendous upside.
Chet Gresham, Draft Kings Nation - Pitts put up some crazy numbers at his pro day, as he ran a 4.44 40 at 6’6” 245 pounds while hitting a 33½-inch vertical, 10’ 9” in the broad jump and managing 22 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press. Maybe most impressive was his 83+ inch wingspan. His speed, size and athleticism make him a rare player. Even at 245 pounds he looks like a wide receiver out there running fluid routes and making spectacular catches with his long arms. He can be knocked for his blocking, but he’ll get better in that area and teams are drafting him as an offensive weapon first and foremost.
Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus - What makes Kyle Pitts so special is that he is arguably the first genuine “tweener” to enter the league, making him close to the perfect passing weapon for today’s game. He already presents a constant personnel problem any time he is in the huddle, and the threat of where he could line up on any given play would be a permanent shadow cast over a defense all game long. He is the best tight end prospect to come along in years and has the skill set to win against cornerbacks in the slot or lined up as a true wideout. Pitts can be an impact player in the passing game, the likes of which we may not have seen before if he lands in the right situation with a coach capable of maximizing that impact.
ESPN.com - Pitts is a hybrid receiver/tight end with a big frame, long arms and very good physical ability. He’s an excellent route runner who separates from linebackers and safeties. He settles into pockets working against zone looks. He has the foot speed and active hands to get off press. His ability to make contested catches makes him a tough matchup when he moves outside. He has the size and second gear to threaten downfield. His burst and strength make him a threat after the catch. He is by no means overwhelming at the point of attack but might be a little underrated as a blocker. He gets into position, and he competes. Pitts’ talent and versatility make him a matchup nightmare for defenses, and he has the potential to develop into an All-Pro player early in his career. He is by far the top tight end in this class, and he projects as an early first-round pick.
Dolphins fit
If Pitts is on the board when the Dolphins are on the clock, they should not waste much time sending in their pick. Pitts would be the perfect selection for Miami. They need to add weapons, love to create mismatches, and need to find young players with whom quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can grow. Pitts immediately fills all three of those needs. He can be lined up as a wide receiver or he can stay in on the line. He is a better blocker than many seem to credit him for being, and he is clearly a dynamic pass catcher. Add him to Mike Gesicki and the Dolphins now have a two-headed monster at tight end, with teams trying to figure out who is lining up where. Gesicki was knocked for not being a good blocker when he was picked, and that seems to have worked out for Miami. There is no thought here if Pitts is available at six.
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