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McKitty

McKitty is a former third-round pick from the 2021 class. The former Georgia Bulldog has struggled to get his NFL career off the ground through three seasons, totaling 16 receptions for 117 yards in 34 career games. At 24-years old, McKitty could catch on with another team, but it will likely be as a practice squad member at this time.

Both the receptions and yards would have gone down as the third most of McKitty’s regular season campaign. McKitty now enters the back half of his rookie contract with 16 grabs for 117 yards through the first two years of his career. Never an explosive pass catcher in college, McKitty is not looking like someone who will develop an extra gear at the pro level. Even if restricted free agent Donald Parham is non-tendered behind Gerald Everett, we are not excited about McKitty’s 2023 prospects.

McKitty saw additional run with starting tight end Gerald Everett leaving the contest in the second quarter with a groin injury but failed to fully capitalize on the opportunity against the stingy linebacker corps of the 49ers. He heavily out-snapped fellow reserve tight end Richard Rodgers, who caught his only target for four yards, but displayed poor chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. Everett could be called upon to serve as the de facto lead tight end against the Chiefs in Week 11, pending the status of Everett.

After struggling with the hamstring issue this week, Ekeler is expected to be a full go against a tough Football Team defense. With Joshua Kelley inactive for Week 1, Ekeler, Justin Jackson, and Larry Rountree will be the Bolts’ running backs against Washington. Ekeler is a top-10 option in PPR formats.

A Georgia product, McKitty (6'4/246) was underutilized as a pass-catcher throughout his career, failing to eclipse 70 receiving yards in any of his 42 collegiate games while totaling just three receiving scores, two of which came on red-zone plays. Although he earned the top tight end award for the American team at the Senior Bowl, McKitty may have been red-flagged by some front offices since he was unable to work out at UGA’s pro day due to a left knee scope. The Chargers had a need at tight end after letting Hunter Henry sign with the Patriots this offseason. McKitty should open 2021 as a blocking complement to Jared Cook who can contribute in the pass game.

McKitty (6'4/246) was underutilized as a pass-catcher throughout his career, failing to eclipse 70 receiving yards in any of his 42 collegiate games while totaling just three receiving scores, two of which came on red-zone plays. Although he earned the top tight end award for the American team at the Senior Bowl, McKitty may have been red-flagged by some front offices since he was unable to work out at Georgia’s pro day due to a left knee scope. The Chargers had a need at tight end after letting Hunter Henry sign with the Patriots this offseason. McKitty should open 2021 as a blocking complement to Jared Cook who can contribute in the pass game.

McKitty (6'5/245) joins linebacker Monty Rice and cornerback D.J. Daniel in opting out of the team’s upcoming bowl in order to focus on the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Draft. The Florida State grad transfer missed the beginning of the season recovering from a knee injury, but recovered in time to play in seven games, catching six-of-nine targets for 108 yards, 18.0 YPC and a touchdown. Last season with Florida State, McKitty was a model of efficiency, catching 82 percent of his 28 targets. He is a willing run blocker with a receiving skill set similar to a big wide receiver and is versatile enough to present a mismatch against linebackers in coverage. McKitty projects as a third-to-fifth round prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.

McKitty (6'5/245), a graduate transfer from Florida State, did not appear in either of Georgia’s first two games due to a knee injury that he suffered during preseason camp. Washington did see action in both of those games, but he’s going through some pregame testing to make sure that he’ll be able to go. Should both be cleared that would give the Bulldogs and QB Stetson Bennett two more weapons to take advantage of in the passing game.

HC Kirby Smart indicated that McKitty (6'5/245) dressed for last Saturday’s game against Auburn but that Smart didn’t want to use him unless absolutely necessary. Fortunately for UGA they handled business against their longtime SEC rivals, winning 27-6 and allowing their burly grad-transfer TE to rest for one more week. In 35 games at Florida State, McKitty caught 50 passes for 520 yards and two touchdowns. He will hope to see his first game action against 14th ranked Tennessee this Saturday.

McKitty (6'5/245) sat against Arkansas this past weekend while continuing to work his way back from a knee injury sustained in a preseason scrimmage. The senior transferred over from Florida State this past winter. We should have a better idea as to his playing status later this week.