With regards to their NFL careers, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and former New York Giants receiver Kadarius Toney aren’t even in the same stratosphere. Pitts is a Pro Bowler with over 3,500 yards in five seasons. Toney, his former Florida Gators teammate, has 340 yards since the start of 2022and didn’t play last year.
There is no denying that Toney, the No. 20 pick in 2021, is an egregious bust … but was he a better draft pick than Pitts? CBS Sports’ Mike Renner certainly thinks so, ranking Pitts No. 159 of the 191 first-round selections from 2020-25. Toney, despite how his career has gone, placed No. 155.
“Kyle Pitts is a good player,” Renner explained, “but the decision to draft him No. 4 overall in 2021 was objectively not a good one considering the next six players off the board were Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Penei Sewell, Jaycee Horn, Patrick Surtain II and DeVonta Smith.”
All of that makes sense, but putting Pitts behind Toney? That’s an interesting approach.
Giants' Kadarius Toney whiff looks slightly better next to Falcons' Kyle Pitts reach
Renner made some truly awful decisions with his list, including placing former Titans offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson — the No. 29 pick in 2020, who played four snaps — above ex-Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
And yet, I’m not as horrified by him putting Toney four spots above Pitts. Make no mistake, I still think it’s an incredibly questionable choice, but we can at least have a conversation.
Pitts should’ve never been taken that high, especially not to a team lacking a long-term franchise quarterback. Matt Ryan was entering his final season, and the Falcons didn’t have a clear answer behind him.
So in that regard, I agree with Renner. Pitts hasn’t helped his case by failing to clear 1,000 yards since his rookie year. That should be the annual floor for any receiver or tight end selected in the top 10, regardless of their quarterback situation.
Look no further than Jets star Garrett Wilson, who began his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. Pitts has had far superior quarterbacks than Wilson, even if the latter played a season alongside Aaron Rodgers.
But credit to Renner for calling out the Falcons for their Pitts pick. The national media has consistently tried turning Pitts into the next Travis Kelce or George Kittle when he’s shown no indication that he can even be Jeremy Shockey.
Pitts got the last laugh on us all, though, signing a three-year deal with $36 million in guaranteed money earlier this offseason. It was the latest questionable move for a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2017.
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