Chase seems to be more of what we have rather than what we don't have. He's more of a jump ball/physical type reciever. It doesn't mean he can't get open with quickness/speed. But that's not generally his game.
Now someone like Smith is exactly the type of player with that type of game we don't have. He's creating seperation at almost every level of the route..consistently.
Pitts arghh...seems so redundant to what we have in Gesicki... I get it! I get it! Supposedly he's a better version. Fine!
Gesicki was #26 among TE's in snaps due to his limitations. I don’t think we should be basing a top 3-6 pick on a guy who's limitations keep him off the field that much. Though that could have been a Gailey call. I'll admit that stat does make his production as a reciever a bit more impressive.
I get Pitts is not a good blocker as well, but I don't think he is Gesicki bad. And outside of that and their great athletic profiles, they aren't the same player.
Gesicki is somewhat stiff, and doesn't often look like a guy that blew away the combine on the field. Pitt's moves unusually well for such a big guy and should bring more versatility in where he can be lined up. We saw him eat up top SEC corners multiple times when used as an outside WR.
Pitts is also 20 years old and gaining strength at a pretty rapid pace. He was in the 230's as a sophomore and gained over 10 pounds that offseason. He is now 245. With his frame I can definitely see him adding more weight without sacrificing speed. He'll never be a great blocker. He puts in effort but still needs more strength. If he can reach even ~255, I don't think he is doomed to be a liability when used as an in-line blocker like Gesicki absolutely is.
I like Gesicki, but I don't think he's good enough to pass on what could be a premiere talent. We've seen what a guy like Waller can bring. He is a matchup nightmare and puts up top end receiver numbers. He is an absolutely terrible blocker, but no one cares bc of of his over the top production and the mismatches he creates. If Pitts happens not to grow as a blocker, that is somewhat similar to what I envision him bringing while being a more dangerous red zone threat.
I'm not a fan of passing on that bc we have Gesicki. He had 703 yrds and 6 TD's. That's very solid, but I don't think he's good enough to make or break this decision.
Sadly, we don't have any offensive talent good enough where I believe it should impact this current pick. We have zero pro bowl caliber stars. We are at the top of the draft and in position to draft elite talent. You either believe that guy can be elite or you don't.