Detroit Lions: Kyle Pitts might just be too good to pass up
By Bob Heyrman
Pairing someone like Kyle Pitts with Hockenson certainly wouldn’t be a worst-case scenario for the Detroit Lions.
Kyle Pitts is a dynamic tight end that has the ability to flourish playing as a big receiver rather than a traditional tight end. At 6-foot-6, he’s a walking mismatch for any offense.
Pitts is built like a tight end at 240-pounds but runs and catches more like a receiver. And if there are any concerns about Pitts as a professional, it’s his lack of ability to lineup in-line as a traditional tight end and block at the NFL level. If a team drafting Pitts hopes to use him in-line, they will be very disappointed and should consider overhauling their scouting department.
Detroit Lions head coach didn’t mix words when he described the potential of Pitts here.
"“I think big skill is hard to find, if I’m being honest with you, and I think it’s a hard matchup for defenses,” Campbell said recently. “When you have a guy that you feel like can win his one-on-ones, I don’t care what he plays, those guys are intriguing, man. When you have guys on your roster that you know the defense is spending extra time on all week, that’s who they’re worried about, I mean those guys, that’s kind of the type of guys you’re looking for.”"
The Detroit Lions should not refrain from taking Pitts if he’s the best option available when they are on the clock. That begs the question, will Pitts be the best available? If so, he’d make for a special prospect working split out with Hockenson lined up as a traditional tight end.
I’d prefer to see general manager Brad Holmes select either Ja’Marr Chase or Jaylen Waddle before Pitts. I feel that Chase is the top pass-catcher in the draft but I don’t expect him to be available. I admire Waddle’s versatility and explosiveness.
The Lions could line Waddle up all over the field and even in the backfield, similar to what the Kansas City Chiefs do with Tyreek Hill focusing on getting the dynamic playmaker the football in space and let him do his thing after the catch.
Waddle has the potential to take a bubble screen to the house and breaking it down even further; anytime he has the ball in his hands, he has the potential to score. Also, don’t get this construed. I don’t dislike DeVonta Smith at all; I feel Waddle and Pitts are slightly better. Smith proved to be a dynamic weapon after totaling a mind-blowing 1,862 receiving yards this past season and 24 total touchdowns earning him the Heisman Trophy.
But don’t forget Waddle notched 557 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 25 receptions before his ankle injury. Waddle returned in the National Championship game for a cup of coffee before exiting the game as the world could see he wasn’t near 100% healthy.