April 22, 2026, 2:30 p.m. ET
Given where they’re scheduled to pick, it should come as no surprise if the biggest move the Atlanta Falcons make this weekend is trading tight end Kyle Pitts. So, who could be in the mood to trade for the former top-five pick?
So far, the only team that’s been connected to a potential Pitts trade with the Falcons is the Kansas City Chiefs. They need to find a successor for Travis Kelce, who’s lost a step and a half since his prime. One scenario had Atlanta scoring second and fourth-round picks from Kansas City, which is a deal that they should make if it’s offered.
Now, we have an even better scenario to drool over. John Breech at CBS Sports has a trade that nets the Falcons a first-round pick from the Chiefs (No. 29 overall).
“The Falcons would likely be open to this deal for two reasons: For one, they don’t have a first-round pick this year, so this would get them the chance to get back into the opening round,” wrote Breech. “Also, Pitts is set to play under the franchise tag, which will pay him $15 million in 2026. If the Falcons trade him away, that will immediately free up $15 million in cap space.”
A first plus $15 million in cap space is great – and then there’s the lucrative long-term deal that the Falcons won’t have to pay Pitts, who had a strong 2025 season but has disappointed overall.
Some NFL team will take a chance on the flashes that Pitts has shown and give him elite tight end money. There’s no reason Atlanta has to be that team, though. If any team offers a first for Pitts (even the Seahawks at No. 32) then Ian Cunningham, Matt Ryan and company should jump at the chance.
