The Atlanta Falcons are keeping their former No. 4 overall pick in town. Atlanta officially placed the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts, locking him into a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth just over $16 million for 2026 if a long-term extension is not reached by the July deadline. What once looked like a potential trade storyline or free-agency bidding war has instead turned into solidifying Pitts as a foundational piece of the Falcons’ offense for at least one more season.
After years of fluctuating production and injury-impacted stretches, Pitts delivered a career-best 2025 campaign and re-established himself as one of the league’s premier tight ends. Let’s take a deep dive into the fallout of Pitts’ heading back to the Falcons in 2026 for fantasy football.
Pitts Fantasy Impact in Atlanta
Pitts finally produced the season fantasy managers had envisioned since draft day. He finished 2025 with 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns, ending the year as the TE2 in half-PPR formats behind only Trey McBride.
The most encouraging development was how he closed the season. Over his final six games, Pitts totaled 39 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns. That stretch translates to a 17-game pace of 111 receptions, 1,329 yards, and 11 scores, elite territory for any pass catcher, let alone a tight end.
Volume was never the issue. Pitts saw 118 targets and operated as a primary option in the passing game, particularly once injuries forced Atlanta to lean more heavily on him down the stretch. His route participation, red-zone involvement, and alignment versatility all trended upward as the season progressed.
The franchise tag removes the biggest variable: landing spot risk. Rather than adjusting to a new scheme or quarterback, Pitts remains in a spot where he has gotten better over the last few seasons. Now under Kevin Stefanski, his usage at the tight end position could take another leap this season. Over the course of his career as a head coach, Stefanski has featured the tight ends in his offense.
From a fantasy perspective, Pitts enters 2026 as a firm TE1 with top-three upside. The volatility that defined parts of his career still exists, tight end scoring can fluctuate, but his role and talent profile support elite production. At just 25 years old, he remains in his athletic prime and positioned for another high-volume season.
Top Tight Ends Still Available
With Pitts off the market, the focus shifts to the remaining tight ends in free agency and how their movement could reshape offenses across the league.
40. Dallas Goedert (TE) – Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert is coming off an 11-touchdown season, one of the most productive campaigns of his career. At 31, he remains a dependable, well-rounded tight end who contributes as both a receiver and blocker. He consistently delivers 40–60 receptions annually and maintains steady red-zone involvement. While not a pure upside play, his reliability and experience make him one of the safer veteran options on the market.
Best Fits: PHI, TEN, MIA
2026 Prediction: PHI
47. Travis Kelce (TE) – Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce’s future remains one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. Even after a statistically down year, his football intelligence and chemistry in the passing game remain elite. At 36, age and potential retirement are legitimate considerations, but if he returns, he still profiles as a high-end contributor in the right system. His legacy is secure; the question now is how much fantasy juice remains.
Best Fits: KC
2026 Prediction: KC
65. Isaiah Likely (TE) – Baltimore Ravens
Likely experienced a production dip in 2025, but remains just 25 years old with clear red-zone upside. Earlier seasons demonstrated his ability to produce touchdowns in bunches, and his athleticism makes him a mismatch against linebackers. In a system willing to feature him more prominently, his ceiling remains intriguing.
Best Fits: CAR, WAS, KC
2026 Prediction: CAR
82. David Njoku (TE) – Cleveland Browns
Njoku’s 2025 dip occurred amid inconsistent quarterback play and offensive instability. At 29, he still offers athletic upside and experience. His fantasy value will hinge heavily on scheme fit and quarterback quality, but in the right situation, he can produce strong TE1 weeks.
Best Fits: CAR, LAC, TEN
2026 Prediction: LAC
118. Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE) – Tennessee Titans
Okonkwo has quietly averaged around 50 receptions and 500 yards per season despite inconsistent quarterback play. At 26, he remains an athletic seam-stretcher with room for red-zone growth. He profiles as a reliable TE2 with upside if his next landing spot emphasizes his athletic traits.
Best Fits: TEN, CAR, HOU
2026 Prediction: HOU
124. Cade Otton (TE) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Otton has been one of the league’s most durable tight ends, consistently playing heavy snap shares. While not an explosive option, his steady target involvement and every-down role create a high floor. He fits best in offenses seeking stability over splash plays.
Best Fits: TB, CAR, IND
2026 Prediction: CAR
2026 Outlook
For fantasy managers, the takeaway is straightforward: Pitts’ value is stabilized, Atlanta’s offense maintains continuity, and the next wave of movement at the position will determine which tight ends rise or fall in 2026 drafts.
