Kyle Pitts Positioned to Become First Tight End to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year

It's been 54 years since the first Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award was handed out, and we've yet to see a tight end take home the honor.

Atlanta Falcons rookie tight end Kyle Pitts could finally be the one to break the streak.

Going to the Falcons with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts became the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. Only Mike Ditka and Riley Odoms were ever drafted in the top 5 for NFL tight ends. "Iron Mike" ended up in the Hall of Fame as an iconic Chicago Bear, and Odoms enjoyed a terrific career with two All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowls over 11 seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Pitts was also selected ahead of the number one wide receiver in the draft, Ja'Marr Chase, who went No. 5 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

WynnBET doesn't consider Pitts to be amongst the top favorites, but they aren't giving him massive underdog odds either. He comes in sixth amongst this year's rookie class at +850 odds with the full list below.

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Candidates:

• Trevor Lawrence +275
• Justin Fields +525
• Najee Harris +600
• Zach Wilson +600
• Trey Lance +750
• Kyle Pitts +850
• Mac Jones +900
• Ja’Marr Chase +1100
• Jaylen Waddle +1800
• Devonta Smith +1800
• Javonte Williams +2000
• Elijah Moore +2000
• Travis Etienne +2200
• Trey Sermon +3000

WynnBET also has the Falcons at the back end of the NFC South division at +850, a likely indication they'll be trailing late in games and will need players like Pitts to make plays down the stretch to remain competitive.

The sky is the limit for Kyle Pitts in the Falcons' offense

Pitts' rise to stardom is a fascinating one. Yahoo! Fantasy insider Liz Loza profiled Pitts' development from high school through college. Pitts was a firm believer in his abilities to play tight and be a lethal receiving threat, but at the high school level, he was asked to play elsewhere. Even early on at Florida, Pitts was a backup down on the depth chart, having to earn his way to the top spot on the team.

Pitts has been comped by scouts and talent evaluators to current tight ends Darren Waller and Evan Engram. In fantasy circles, he's projected by many to have the best statistical rookie season of any tight end in history.

Tight ends have won Rookie of the Year honors in the past, just not the Associated Press award; considered to be the official one by the league and presented at the NFL Honors before the Super Bowl. In 1973, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Charle Young captured the one and only Pro Football Writers of America NFL Rookie of the Year victory at his position. The Sporting News Offensive Rookie of the Year has given their award to two tight ends in back-to-back years: Cardinals' tight end Rob Awalt in 1987, and Keith Jackson of the Eagles in 1988.

With Pitts' skillset, and the Falcons' offense looking like they'll need to carry the load this year, Pitts' odds may start to climb as we get closer to the start of the season.

Like Kyle Pitts' chances to win Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Make your pick today over at WynnBET Sportsbook!