The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in trade talks with the Miami Dolphins about acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith, and NFL Insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that the Steelers have had preliminary conversations with multiple teams about acquiring a playmaker. Now, the latest potential trade candidate should have the front office staff on the edge of their seats.
On Friday, Schultz reported that multiple teams have reached out to the Atlanta Falcons about a potential trade for Kyle Pitts. The former fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft would be a hot commodity, based on his physical profile, age, and potential.
But things haven't gone well for the tight end in recent years.
Pitts saw his worst season in 2024 when he caught 47 of 74 targets for 602 yards in 17 games. However, I wouldn't get hung up on the numbers. There's a role for Pitts beyond what we've seen from him early in his NFL career.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could make Kyle Pitts their WR2 if they traded with the Atlanta Falcons
Despite their apparent interest in Miami's Jonnu Smith, we know the Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a pressing need at the tight end position. The team handed Pat Freiermuth a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension last offseason and selected Darnell Washington in the third round two years ago.
But Pitts' value stretches beyond tight end. He's a player the Steelers could use as a wide receiver.
I don't think it's a coincidence that Pitts' worst NFL season came in 2024 when he was asked to play the most snaps as an in-line tight end that he has seen in his career. This role shift didn't allow him to do what he does best—get down the field and catch the football.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pitts played 365 snaps as an in-line tight end last season. This led to just 111 snaps out wide. In comparison to his rookie season, when Pitts earned Pro Bowl honors, he saw 237 snaps out wide, 286 snaps in the slot, and 248 snaps in-line. That's the balance that brought him success early in his career and led to a 1,000-yard season as a rookie.
While the Atlanta Falcons haven't been able to get a fraction of the talent out of Pitts as they should have, the Steelers could essentially make him a glorified wide receiver by playing him where he's best. This offers much more intrigue than trading for Jonnu Smith, who turns 30 years old this season.
Pitts is still 24 years old, and in the right role, he could be a long-term weapon to build around for whoever will be manning the quarterback position in 2026 and beyond. Likewise, the athletic tight end-receiver hybrid could essentially fill the hole left by George Pickens.
Arthur Smith also has a connection with Pitts. Though Pitts' production went down over the past few years, Smith clearly likes using big wide receivers. In Atlanta, he had Drake London and Kyle Pitts. During his days as offensive coordinator of the Titans, Smith's offense had A.J. Brown and Corey Davis.
A lack of athleticism isn't an issue for Pitts to play wide receiver. At his Florida Pro Day in 2021, Pitts exploded with a 4.44 40-yard dash and a 129'' broad jump. His lethal size-speed combination will give him a major advantage against cornerbacks as he's nearly 6'6'' and 245 pounds with a massive 83 3/8'' wingspan.
This might feel like too big of a project at this stage of his career, but Kyle Pitts has taken 675 snaps as an outside wide receiver, and that's where he does his best work. The Pittsburgh Steelers could land a former top-5 draft pick with immense talent at a discounted price and turn him into the weapon this team is missing.