FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Kyle Pitts lined up within the slot, a number of yards from proper deal with Kaleb McGary. The ball was snapped and as an alternative of going out on a route, the Atlanta Falcons tight finish lower inside McGary and blocked a San Francisco 49ers defender proper out of the play.

It sprung operating again Caleb Huntley for 16 yards, establishing an eventual Falcons landing. The play is not going to depend for Pitts in any statistical class. However nonetheless, it means loads.

The block is certainly one of many Pitts has made on run performs this 12 months on a staff with extra speeding makes an attempt coming into Week 7 than all however the Philadelphia Eagles. The Falcons additionally rank third within the league in speeding (165.2 yards per recreation). Whereas the receiving and fantasy manufacturing may not be there for Pitts, it isn’t irksome as a result of he’s displaying to be greater than only a receiving tight finish.

Blocking, which he spent months engaged on this offseason, issues.

“I imply, that’s one thing that I take private,” Pitts informed ESPN. “As a result of it’s at all times, ‘He’s only a receiver. He doesn’t wish to block.’ So when it’s time for me to get within the field and it’s time for us to dam and get the operating again ahead, I take satisfaction in that.”

Pitts calls his good blocks “confidence boosts,” together with the one which sprung Huntley.

They’ve made Pitts a extra full tight finish than final season. By doing this, by committing to being a full-fledged tight finish, it makes him extra harmful and the Falcons extra versatile.

That’s one thing his place coach at Florida, Larry Scott, centered on with him and a message that caught: If you need an extended NFL profession, you need to be a whole tight finish. He has received 65.5% of his run blocks and 65% when he’s a part of a double-team.

Falcons tight ends coach Justin Peelle mentioned Pitts has been higher blocking this season, that his route-running has improved, and that he is doing the little issues that do not at all times get seen.

Groups are listening to Pitts each time he’s on the sector. This has helped Atlanta’s complete offense.

With Pitts on the sector, the Falcons are averaging 5.68 yards per play — 4.83 yards per rush and seven.06 yards per move try. When Pitts shouldn’t be, Atlanta is averaging fewer yards per play (5.26) — extra yards per rush (5.00) and fewer yards per move try (6.76).

“The impact he has on each play, you need to account for him,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith mentioned. “Final 12 months, we wouldn’t essentially have had runs behind him. We’re operating proper behind him loads. Once more, you’re not as apparent in what you’re attempting to do.

“I feel he attracts loads of consideration.”

The surface consideration has been a fan annoyance about his receiving numbers. They’re less than preseason expectations. Pitts has run 93 routes and made 13 catches on 25 targets for 169 yards and a landing.

He did miss a recreation towards Tampa Bay in Week 5, however he’s No. 28 amongst tight ends in routes run, tied with Las Vegas Raiders tight finish Darren Waller and San Francisco 49ers tight finish George Kittle in targets, No. 24 in receptions and No. 18 in yards.

He additionally has drawn two penalties, which don’t depend as targets, including probably no less than one other 44 yards (36 on a move interference, 5 on a defensive holding on an 8-yard route). Add in simply the 36 yards to his receiving totals and he’d be simply exterior the highest 10 tight ends in yardage.

These weren’t numbers many thought he’d have coming off the second-ever 1,000-yard season for a rookie tight finish — extrapolated out to a complete season can be 42 catches for 541 yards, a bit greater than half of his receiving yards from 2021 — however issues have modified. He’s doing extra general in a unique offense.

Final season, the Falcons ran the ball 393 occasions and handed it 573. This season, they’re on tempo for 572 rushes and 388 move makes an attempt. These numbers could change, nevertheless it reveals an apparent shift in philosophy. So the alternatives for Pitts are fewer based mostly on quantity of passes, not something Pitts is doing or not doing.

Final season, Matt Ryan focused Pitts 22.7% of the time he ran a route. This season, quarterback Marcus Mariota has focused Pitts 26.9% of the time. In each seasons, he caught the ball on 14% of his routes.

He additionally has been focused extra downfield than he was final season — 13.76 air yards per goal this 12 months versus 10.78 final season.

“It’s understanding Kyle goes to be open if he’s sort of considerably coated, you simply bought to provide him the ball,” Mariota mentioned. “He does an incredible job, it doesn’t matter what, of successful a few of these 50-50 contested catches.

“It’s on me to provide him extra alternatives.”

Mariota mentioned it’s a part of determining the offense and the gamers round him. As they work extra collectively, it’s believable to consider Pitts will obtain extra alternatives, particularly if the Falcons find yourself ready the place they’re compelled to throw greater than they’ve.

Pitts isn’t urgent. He insists “it’s not all about me,” nor does he assume it ought to be. He factors to the opposite playmakers Atlanta has who’re getting the ball, comparable to rookie receiver Drake London. A few of these performs is likely to be taking place due to the eye Pitts is garnering, too.

The decrease receiving numbers, although, don’t trouble Pitts for one purpose: the staff outcomes. The Falcons (3-3) are tied for first within the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“We’re successful. We’re doing properly,” Pitts mentioned. “So it’s like, it’s 17 video games. And you’re in all probability bored with listening to me say that, nevertheless it’s 17 video games and it’s an extended 12 months, so it’ll shake out the suitable method.”

Statistics from ESPN Stats and Data had been used on this story. Comply with them on Twitter @ESPNStatsInfo.