Kyle Pitts And the Fantasy Football 2025 Conundrum

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by FantasyLife+:

The rumor mill is churning again! This time, it's Kyle Pitts who might be on the move. While he's most recently been linked to teams like the Steelers and Giants after missing team OTAs, the Falcons have a hefty asking price for their fifth-year TE that would likely keep him in Atlanta for the time being.

Butttt anytime a first-rounder “breaks free” from their current situation after not meeting our fantasy expectations, we love to convince ourselves that a “breakout” could be on the horizon. So these trade rumors have unfortunately fueled a resurgence of Kyle Pitts hopefuls.

It Was The Situation, Not The Player … Right?

The Situation: "Kyle Pitts has had inconsistency at the QB position his entire career."

Sure, he's played with *takes deep breath* Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins … and Michael Penix Jr. Sheesh!

Butttt Brock Bowers played with Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell, and Desmond Ridder in 2024. So, what's the excuse again?

The Situation: "Kyle Pitts was injured in 2022. And if we're being honest, he didn't seem fully healthy in 2023."

Butttt he healthily caught only 47 balls for 602 yards in 2024. And his targets have steadily decreased since his rookie season. So, what’s the excuse again?

A Friendly Kyle Pitts PSA

Our brains much rather blame an organization than accept that a fourth-overall pick just … doesn't have the magic.

When you're drafting double-digit best ball teams, you have the luxury of adding Pitts to your team in 2025 in the name of "diversification." But many of us are still too busy licking our wounds to take a chance on them splitting open again in 2025.

So this is your friendly PSA (read: Please StaysafefromKylePitts Announcement)

In the event that Pitts does get traded and you find yourself wondering "what if…"—please feel free to refer back to this newsletter to remind yourself that:

Pitts hasn't logged a 100-yard game since his rookie season in 2021.

Pitts' Top-5 TE fantasy finishes over the last 3 years:

2024: 2

2023: 1

2022: 1

ATL OC Zac Robinson wants Pitts to get to "that next level of understanding of the offense.” In his FIFTH YEAR with the team?! lolol

Jimmy Graham scored more TDs than Kyle Pitts in 2023. JIMMY GRANDPA GRAHAM.

And most importantly: If Pitts does have his "comeback year" in 2025 and you don't draft him, it might hurt. But it will still hurt less than if Pitts doesn't have his "comeback year" in 2025, and you did …

THE TARGET SHARE FURTHER TELLS THE STORY

We’ve Got Your Rankings

The debate between Ja’Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley for the top spot is settled. Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen as QB1? It’s a razor-thin margin, with Jayden Daniels hot on their heels. When is the right time to nab Brock Bowers? The Fantasy Life Rankings Hub has it all for you.

PPR, Half-PPR, Best Ball, even Superflex … we’ve got you covered. Yes, even our Standard scoring holdouts get rankings love. Dynasty Bros., you too. Our Fantasy Life experts have crunched the projections and created their rankings, which they update throughout the offseason to give you the most up-to-date ranks for you to peruse and get you ready for the fast-approaching fantasy draft season. And if you want to peek at Week 1, well, just click on that tab. We’re here for all your rankings needs.

THIS WORKHORSE RB IS AT PICK 14

Taking Inventory Of Your Dynasty Roster

So maybe your dynasty league’s rookie draft shook you from an offseason fantasy slumber, and now you have to take a hard look at your roster. Oh, you remembered that you hit a home run with Jayden Daniels to pair with Joe Burrow in your superflex league. Or your roster has Kirk Cousins and now-retired Derek Carr as its lone QBs. You have some work to do.

Casting a discerning eye to dynasty rosters is a good practice for this type of year, so you can begin to plan ahead. If you finished near the bottom, there are high picks to look forward to (hopefully). No matter where you finished in your league, there is a strategy for how to attack the season ahead. Even for the champions.👇🏼

WHEN TO KNOW TO BLOW IT UP

How Pass Rate Over Expectation Influences Fantasy Football

If you understand “PROE” you can draft like a PRO … E.

Chris Allen breaks down what Pass Rate Over Expectation means, and how to utilize this stat in fantasy drafts. If you’ve missed any in this series, go here.

No more sweating over WR2 Tee Higgins and WR2 DeVonta Smith when you’re on the clock.

If you want to be able to gauge which players are more valuable in fantasy and which NFL teams are worth investing in … read on!👇🏼

JOE BURROW WAS OFF THE CHARTS

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.

🔮 ICYMI: In his last three odd-numbered seasons Dak Prescott has surpassed 4,400 yards and 30 TDs. It’s 2025.

🚀 Would you sign up for 250 rush attempts and 60 targets for Ashton Jeanty?

👀 Fine. If you won’t listen to cooterdoodle, maybe you’ll listen to Pedro Pascal.

💸 The price tag on Emeka Egbuka may be pretty reasonable.

🙈 A new fantasy punishment to consider. Please make sure to sit down when Lindor and Soto are hitting.

🤔 Remember this when Jordan Mason falls in your drafts.