NFL fantasy analyst says to bench Falcons tight end vs. Bears

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The Atlanta Falcons offense has come to life over the last few weeks, averaging 34.3 points per game since quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returned to the starting lineup in Week 3. Penix’s ability to push the ball down the field has transformed Atlanta into an offensive powerhouse.

Wide receiver Drake London is playing as good as anyone in the NFL since the quarterback change, while running back Bijan Robinson’s effectiveness has improved as defenses are forced to respect the Falcons’ passing attack.

However, tight end Kyle Pitts has been largely invisible from a fantasy perspective this season. Last week, Pitts had five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. While he’s clearly trending in the right direction, Pitts has just 10 catches for 109 yards through five games.

So when will the Falcons highly paid tight end finally start putting up elite numbers? According to NFL.com’s Matt Okada, it won’t be this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Pitts made the fantasy sit ’em list for Week 6:

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“After Pitts managed 40-plus yards in back-to-back games — and his first touchdown of the season in Week 5, resulting in 15.2 fantasy points — you might be breathing a sigh of relief and inserting him back into the starting lineup. Don’t be hasty. Monday night was his first game with more than three targets, and the Bears have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. Only Tucker Kraft has scored more than six fantasy points against this defense. When Pitts ranks higher than fourth on the team in target share (behind Jahan Dotson) and has a softer matchup, we can talk. Until then, try to find a streamer.” – Matt Okada, NFL.com

Last season, Pitts led the team with 88 catches for 928 yards. So, what gives?

Well, like most tight ends, Pitts’ production tends to be somewhat sporadic from week to week. Plus, it’s hard to stand out when you have a running back and wide receiver putting up record numbers nearly every game.

Drake London and Bijan Robinson have been on a tear since Week 3. Another thing that fans likely haven’t accounted for is that Pitts did much of his damage while Drake London was not on the field last season.

We can’t say whether or not Pitts will be heavily involved in Week 6, but his time is coming as defenses adjust to slow down London. As long as the offense is playing well, the Falcons have no reason to panic over Pitts’ pedestrian numbers.

The Falcons host the Bears at home in NFL Week 6. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Chicago.