Buddy Martin Blog: So Long To The Kyles. Just Take The Money, Then Remember The Good Ol’ Days

We may never see another one like Kyle Pitts. Photo Courtesy UAA

I don’t pay attention to the NFL Draft much anymore, but this one has my attention. These are some powerful story lines:

1. Will there be six quarterbacks taken in round one, and if yes, who will be the sixth?

2. Is there going to be a blockbuster trade that could involve the Jaguars after they’ve gotten their clutches on Trevor Lawrence at No. 1?

3. Where in the world will that freak Kyle Pitts with the pterodactyl wingspan finally land?

It’s going to be must-see TV for Gator fans, who most likely will have a busy Thursday and Friday watching players from their team become rich. All they have to do is make the team for a year and they get the $610,000 minimum.

After Pitts, who could go as high as No. 4 to Atlanta, there’s another likely first-rounder in Kadarius Toney and a longshot in Kyle Trask, who most likely will have to “settle” for a second/third-round salary if he “slips” to between $1,580,000 and $818,000. It’s not really about the money, although it is, but it’s more about a lifelong dream coming true.

Among those about to hit the pot of gold at the BEGINNING of the rainbow are Pitts, Toney, Trask, Trevon Grimes, Kyree Campbell and Marco Wilson. Others who have a shot -- but may be free agents: Shawn Davis, Stone Forsythe, Evan McPherson.

The most intriguing to me are Pitts and Trask. Having covered many drafts over my career, I realize there’s always a wild card or a renegade general manager who can be “disruptors.” Remember, it only takes one GM to start the avalanche.

Maybe some team wants to crash the top five to pick off a quarterback. Or if, say, Tampa Bay decided to take Trask with the last pick in round one – a great choice, I think -- Dan Mullen will have coached three first-rounders on his 2020 offense. (Although the so-called experts don’t see Trask going that high).

Will Pitts be that piece d’ resistance? Who knows? I don’t, so I sent the following survey to my most trusted writer/broadcaster friends and associates in the media. After speaking to Steve Spurrier, who said this of Pitts:

“He will be one of the best tight ends ever, even though he might not be a pure tight end. He’s a good enough blocker and can get those ‘stalemates.’ He kind of reminds me of Kirk Kirkpatrick, who led our ‘90 team in receiving.”

Then asking others in the media these questions:

1) What are the odds Pitts turns out to be the most impactful player in the draft?

2) If you were a GM in the NFL would you be trying to make a blockbuster deal for Pitts?

3) Where do you see him going and to whom?

4) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best) how good of a pro will Pitts be?

This guy got Pitts the ball, but is his accuracy attracting first round sniffs? Photo Courtesy UAA

Tony Barnhart, Mr. CFB, ESPN:

1. I think he'll definitely be the most impactful non-quarterback taken in the draft and when all is said and done could be the most impactful player of them all. That's because he is a matchup nightmare. When he splits out, who do you put on him? Linebackers aren't fast enough. Corners are too small. Safeties can't run with him either. You'll have to double team him on every play.

2. I would do what I had to do to move up because players like Kyle Pitts don't come around that often. That's why I see several teams trying to work a deal to get into the four spot to get Pitts.

3. I think Atlanta, after taking a bunch of calls, will take Pitts at No. 4 behind three quarterbacks: Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Mack Jones.

4. I would give him a 10.

Mark Long, Associated Press:

1. Zero chance. The most impactful player in every draft nowadays is a QB, and one of the five projected to go in the first round will be the most impactful.

2. The price to trade into the top five or top 10 is enormous, and it rarely happens except to get a quarterback. I would trade up for Pitts, but probably not if it means leveraging future drafts. He’s good, really good, but he just can’t have the impact that a QB can have.

3. Atlanta sure looks like a viable spot at No. 4. The Falcons and their new regime certainly could take a QB, but Matt Ryan is far from done and Pitts would make his job in these twilight years a lot easier.

4. Pitts will be a fantastic pro, a 10 and beyond. He’s mature, easy to coach and red-flag free.

Woody Paige, Around The Horn:

1. No. One of qbs will be. But it may take Lawrence, Wilson. Lance or Fields a while.

2. No, not blockbuster for a tight end.

3. Atlanta just takes him. If not, Cincy. Mel Kiper Jr. says he’s the best TE he ever scouted

4. 8.

Ben Troupe, former All-American Gator tight end:

1. He has a great chance to be the most impactful player but he won’t get as many opportunities as the QBs.

2. I wouldn’t make a blockbuster deal for Pitts because he is only as good as his QB so you don’t want to mortgage the franchise.

3. I see him going to ATL because I think they can help make Matt Ryan better.

4. Pitts can be an 8 or a 9, but I’ve never seen a 10.

Paul Finebaum, ESPN:

1. I would say no. Strongly believe it will be Trevor.

2. After Trevor, I believe he’s most valuable player so yes.

3. Atlanta

4. Can’t miss All- Pro.

Kassidy Hill, GatorBait:

1. As far as impactful, I guess it depends somewhat on the QB’s taken above him. They’re all expected to be franchise changing guys. In terms of what a QB means to a team versus a TE, I don’t know if I can in good conscience say Pitts will be the most impactful right now. But could he be the most talented? Absolutely.

2. Yes, 100%. Even though I maintain right now he might not be the most impactful, he is the most talented and can change a game. He’s right there with the top 4 QB’s in terms of game changing ability. GM’s should at least see what it would cost to get him because if they can afford it, he’s worth it.

3. Atlanta

4. 9.5...and the only reason I’m deducting the 0.5 is as a way to hedge my bets because you just never know.

Robbie Andreu, Gainesville Sun (retired):

1. Those three quarterbacks will get drafted ahead of him, but Pitts is going to be the elite player in the draft who has the earliest and most significant impact in 2021. QBs always need time to adjust and develop. Pitts is NFL ready right now.

2. If I’m a GM who is really looking to make a splash offensive pick who will have an immediate impact, I’d make a move to get him. There’s no one else like him in the draft.

3. I think the Falcons will take him with the fourth pick. But I think the Dolphins, who have the sixth pick, will try to move up to take him.

4. He’ll be a 10. He’s one of those generational prospects who should start making plays the day he first arrives at camp.

Lee McGriff, radio analyst. Former Gator player and coach:

1. His athletic ability certainly gives him a chance to be impactful. To me the questions are . . . Does he train and take care of himself as a priority? Does money distract him and ruin him? Does football stay important to him?

2. For a team who is wide open offensively, they should make a blockbuster deal.

3. Cincinnati is as good as a guess as any.

4. To have success in the NFL, there are so many factors that have to work for you. Is the offensive scheme in your favor? How good is the rest of your team? If they don’t do well, it’s hard for you to do well. If you lose too much, they will fire your coach and get a new one. What if the new coach has an unfavorable scheme for you individually? What if the new staff doesn’t believe in you? Then, of course, do you stay healthy? If all that stays in Pitts favor, athletically, he can be a 9 or 10.

David Moulton, Miller & Moulton, Fox:

1. 15-1 (tough to be more impactful than a great QB and one of these will likely be great)

2. No

3. 4th to Atlanta

4. 8.5

Franz Beard, Senior Columnist GatorBaitMedia.com:

1. He is John Mackey and Paul Warfield combined and that's scary.

2. If I am an NFL general manager with the need for a downfield threat for whom there is no defense then I make whatever deal is necessary to get a Kyle Pitts.

3. The Falcons need him but if Justin Fields is available I cannot see them passing on a Georgia kid who is an outstanding quarterback, therefore I see him going to the Miami Dolphins at number six.

4. At least at nine but I could see him being a 10.

Graham Hall, Gainesville Sun:

1. Pitts will be a top-5 most impactful in the draft after the QBs and Oregon OL Penei Sewell.

2. I would definitely make a move for him if he’s there at No. 8

3. I think he will go No. 4 to Atlanta

4. 8

Nick de la Torre, Gators Territory:

1. The odds that Pitts turns into an impactful player in the NFL are nearly 100. The most impactful player in the draft I would say are low, just considering the talent that Trevor Lawrence has and the opportunity he’s going to get right away in Jacksonville. I think the NFL has become a quarterback driven league, so I’d say Lawrence has the best odds to be the most impactful player in the draft but Kyle Pitts is right behind him.

2. The NFL has changed so much so that we’re even talking about a tight end in this regard. Of course, Pitts is more than just a tight end but we’re entering a new era in the NFL where the line between tight end and receiver is blurred. It’s also an era where passing numbers are more prolific than ever. So, for me, Pitts transcends a positional label and I view him as a generational talent. If I’m putting a GM hat on, I would love to have him on my team but I don’t know if I would give up the farm for him. He still needs someone to throw him the ball.

3. Miami Dolphins - 6

4. I think the biggest factor that would hold him back would be injury. Other than that, something he can’t control, Pitts has the size, athleticism, and most importantly the worth ethic to get every bit of talent out of his God given gifts and he’s a potential Hall of Fame type of player if he remains healthy. 10.

John Oesher, Jaguars.com:

1. Low because it’s hard to be more impactful than a quarterback — Pretty high If you’re talking non-quarterback.

2. Probably not, because there’s such a history early drafted tight ends not working out.

3. Miami at six

4. Seven or eight, but I’m always very conservative with projecting players until I see them actually do it.

Jacquie Franciulli, WCJB TV20: 1. I think Kyle Pitts is one of the most athletic prospects in the NFL Draft, so of course I think he can turn out to be one of the most impactful players in the draft this year. He is the unicorn. He has proven on the field he can produce during his career at Florida. He is agile for a player his size and is known to make some impossible catches. In short, Pitts is a freak athlete.

2. If I were a GM and I had a chance at Pitts, I would make any deal to grab him. He is a playmaker that can make a difference in a game.

3. I can see the Miami Dolphins pick him at No. 6 (I am being selfish since I am a Dolphins fan), however, I can also see Pitts drop down and get picked up by the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants.

4. 8

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The other part of that Kyle-To-Kyle combination is equally as tantalizing. After watching Trask’s amazing clinic in accuracy for two seasons, breaking a horde of Gator passing records, Gator fans are wondering about this conundrum:

If Kyle Shanahan is so in love with Mac Jones and maybe planning to take him with the No. 3 pick, was he not watching Florida’s No. 11 this season? Is Kyle Shanahan not considering Kyle Trask? I have no clue, but let me just present this last resort as a Blockbuster Trade Proposal:

I say Kyle Shanahan should take Kyle Trask, then trade the next two years’ first-round draft choices for Kyle Pitts and then play a pre-season game at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. Then Coach Kyle could feature Kyle-to-Kyle on Kyle. Too bad Kyle Rote isn’t alive to see it.