NFL notebook: How Kyle Pitts, NFL rookies are seizing opportunity to ‘soak up all the knowledge’

AUSTIN, Texas — Kyle Pitts stutter-stepped toward the yellow cone on his left, then the green cone on his right. The Falcons rookie tight end leapt across the sideline of the Del Valle High School fieldhouse, catching a quick pass in stride. 

“Getting in and out of breaks, shortening my steps and being able to be powerful,” Pitts described the body-control drill to USA TODAY Sports. “I like to be a sponge and just soak up all the knowledge I can.” 

Since Atlanta selected the former Florida star fourth overall in the 2021 NFL draft—making him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history—Pitts has soaked up knowledge at Falcons offseason practices and the inaugural Tight End University summit that gathered dozens of the league’s best at his position. In early July, Pitts joined fellow clients of NFL agent David Mulugheta for workouts that the group called “Pros Week.” Steelers veteran tight end Eric Ebron, who has advised Pitts including over Instagram message for more than five years, guided Pitts through pointers in an on-field workout on July 9. 

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