{"id":688536,"date":"2026-01-19T11:37:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/688536\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T11:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:37:11","slug":"kyle-pitts-ranked-among-top-nfl-free-agents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/688536\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Pitts ranked among top NFL free agents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jan. 19, 2026, 5:31 a.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons<\/a> haven’t had a second to catch their breath since the NFL season ended. The team fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot before naming Kevin Stefanski as Morris’ replacement two weeks later.<\/p>\n

The Falcons still need to find a new general manager to replace Fontenot and determine what to do with key free agents, including tight end Kyle Pitts, linebacker Kaden Elliss and a handful of role players whose contracts are up in March.<\/p>\n

Running back Tyler Allgeier, edge Leonard Floyd and kicker Zane Gonzalez are among the other notable names. Atlanta must also decide what to do with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. According to Over The Cap, the Falcons have around $18 million in salary cap space for the 2026 offseason.<\/p>\n

CBS Sports<\/a> released a new free agency preview, ranking the top 50 players expected to be available in 2026. Two Falcons players made the cut. Pitts was the highest on the list, coming in at No. 20.<\/p>\n

Kyle Pitts: No. 20 on CBS Sports’ top 50 free agents<\/p>\n

He’s improved as a blocker, and the football is starting to find him once again: Pitts’ career-high 88 catches were the second-most in the NFL among tight ends in 2025. It could make sense for the Falcons to franchise tag Pitts if they can’t come to terms on a long-term extension.\u00a0 — Garrett Podell, CBS Sports<\/a><\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Pitts is obviously one of the top free agents available due to his age and production, but the next Falcons player on CBS Sports’ list might surprise you. Defensive tackle David Onyemata landed the final spot on Podell’s top 50 free agents of 2026.<\/p>\n

David Onyemata: No. 50 on CBS Sports’ top 50 free agent<\/p>\n

David Onyemata was a key part of a Falcons defensive line that helped develop the 2025 rookie leader in sacks and quarterback pressures (edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with 10.5 sacks and 45 quarterback pressures) and the No. 2 2025 rookie leader in sacks (edge rusher Jalon Walker). He started all 17 games, and Pro Football Focus graded Onyemata is their eighth-best defensive tackle in 2025 with a 78.2 defensive grade. — Garrett Podell, CBS Sports<\/a><\/p>\n

The Falcons are expected to keep defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on Stefanski’s staff, while former Browns<\/a> assistant Tommy Rees is reportedly being eyed as Atlanta’s new offensive coordinator. However, nothing is official as of yet.<\/p>\n

Check out the full list of Falcons players set to enter free agency in 2026 below.<\/p>\n

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