Kyle Pitts Rookie Card Market Guide

With Kyle Pitts only in his third season in the NFL, it is difficult to predict what the future will hold for the young athlete's career. However, Pitts is among the most intriguing players in the National Football League due to his unique skillset and playing abilities. While standing at 6’6” and weighing 245 pounds, Pitts runs a 4.44 40-yard dash and has an 83-inch wingspan (the widest of any tight end or receiver in over 20 years). What does this all mean?

This means he is built with the speed of a wide receiver and the size of a tight end or linebacker and has the athleticism of a running back. And while Pitts has all the makings to go down as one of the best tight ends in NFL history, physical attributes do not always correlate to on-field performance or achievements. In this article, we will explain why Pitts is the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history and whether or not investing in his rookie cards is the right decision for you.

Who Is Kyle Pitts?

Kyle Pitts attended the University of Florida and was one of the most dynamic players in the NCAA. Due to Pitts' unique build and speed, he played both receiver and tight end. During his first college season, Pitts was the backup and only recorded one touchdown. However, in 2019, Pitts took over the starting role and began his dominance. Pitts was named to the First All-SEC team for the 2019 season before dominating in his final year as a college athlete.

The pandemic plagued his 2020 season, and he could only play in eight games, but that did not stop him from putting up incredible numbers. In those eight games, he posted 43 receptions, 12 touchdowns and 770 receiving yards, which was on pace for record-setting numbers by a tight end.

His incredible college stats, unicorn physique and versatility made Pitts the fourth overall draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft. This also made him the first-ever tight end to be selected in the top five of an NFL Draft and has drawn comparisons to tight end legends such as Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce.

Kyle Pitts’ NFL Career

While it is evident that Pitts has the fundamental tools to be a dominant player in the NFL, that only sometimes translates to success at the NFL level. Yet, in his rookie season, he met all expectations, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark and becoming the second rookie tight end in history to do so. Pitts ended the 2021 season with 1,026 receiving yards, yet only one touchdown.

With massive expectations entering the 2022 season, Pitts took a significant step back while only recording 356 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. While this may be a concern, the blame is most likely on the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback play and the organization. In 2022, the Falcons were second to last in the entire NFL in pass attempts per game with only 24 and decided to bench their starting quarterback, Marcus Mariota, in week 8. After that, Pitts played a few more games with rookie quarterback Desmond Riddler before going down with a season-ending injury.

Kyle Pitts Rookie Cards Investment Potential

While Pitts' NFL start has not been as expected, it may be the perfect time to get your hands on his rookie cards at an affordable price. After an underwhelming season, a player with the physical tools and potential of Pitts can still become an NFL legend.

Here are some factors to consider when identifying whether a player's rookie card is a good investment:

Personal achievements – Kyle Pitts is too young to grade on this metric, especially since he hasn’t even played a second full season schedule yet. However, his rookie season did give us a glimpse of his potential, and with the right pieces around him, Pitts could have an incredible 2022 season.

Scarcity of card – The scarcity of a card is often the most significant factor in determining its value. The more limited edition or rarer cards are worth more due to their lack of availability on the market. Currently, Pitts rookie cards are still relatively abundant, so it might be wise to wait to buy until they become scarcer or go after parallels and inserts.

Overall demand – As previously mentioned, Pitts; start in the NFL has been underwhelming. Still, his unique physical tools, along with the fact that he was the fourth overall draft pick, have kept interest high among collectors. So, if you are looking for a long-term investment, it may be wise to get a Kyle Pitts rookie card before his stock increases.

The potential for Kyle Pitts to become an NFL Hall of Famer is there, but he will need to stay healthy, have much better quarterback play, and remain consistent to reach that status. As a result, now may be the time to buy Kyle Pitts rookie cards and make an investment before they become too expensive. Here are some of the best Kyle Pitts rookie cards for you to invest in, starting with the most expensive. Then we will discuss some more affordable options.

Best Kyle Pitts Rookie Cards to Look Out For

Here are the most expensive Kyle Pitts rookie cards:

2021 Panini Immaculate Collegiate Rookie Patch Autographs #55 Kyle Pitts - #'d/99 ($5,000)

Investors have been captivated by the 2021 Immaculate set, as it features various high-end NCAA prospects. Each box contains four autograph cards and one memorabilia card. This Kyle Pitts' rookie card is limited to only 99 copies, featuring him in his Florida Gators uniform with a piece of game-worn jersey placed at the center. This stunning card has sold for up to $5,000 if highly graded.

2021 Panini Chronicles Draft Picks One Quad Patch Autograph #14 Kyle Pitts - #'d/99 ($5,600)

The Chronicles Draft Picks collection is another set that was loaded in the 2021 season and dedicated to high-end prospects. Each hobby box contains one relic, three autographs and 12 Optichrome cards, with one exclusive parallel for all 1st Off the Line box. This Pitts rookie card features an on-card signature and a game-worn fabric that always drives the price up. With only 99 copies available, this card has sold for upward of $5,600 and is one of the top Kyle Pitts rookie cards.

2021 Panini Prizm Rookies #341 Kyle Pitts - Prizm Black Finite Parallel #'d/1 ($5,625)

Panini Prizm is always one of the most sought-after sets each season, and the 2021 set was no different. The Prizm Black Finite Parallel of Pitts' rookie card is limited to only one copy, making it one of the most valuable cards in the entire set. This card previously sold for an astounding $5,625.

2021 Absolute Kaboom #K48 Kyle Pitts - Gold Parallel #'d/10 ($5,938)

Absolute Kaboom cards are vibrant and becoming increasingly loved in the collector world. The Gold Parallel is commonly one of the favorites from the collection, and the Kyle Pitts rookie card from the 2021 set is no exception. With only 10 copies, this card has sold for up to $5,938 due to its beautiful design and gold shine.

2021 Panini National Treasures Rookie Football NFL Shield Signatures #11 Kyle Pitts - #’d/1 ($10,049)

At the top of the list is the always-valuable Panini National Treasures collection. This premium set is loaded with unique cards, and the Kyle Pitts rookie card is another extremely valuable card from the series. This card features an on-card signature and a swatch of a game-worn jersey, plus it also has an NFL Shield logo to make this one stand out from all the others. This card currently holds the record for the highest-selling Kyle Pitts rookie card and is one of the hardest to track down.

Affordable Kyle Pitts Rookie Cards

Buying any of the cards mentioned above would be fantastic; however, most investors do not have five to ten thousand dollars to invest. Here we will discuss some more affordable Kyle Pitts rookie cards for investors of all budgets.

2021 Panini Donruss Elite Rookies #117 Kyle Pitts - #'d/599 ($152)

To kick things off, here is one of the most popular Kyle Pitts rookie cards, and it can be purchased in top condition for no more than $152. If you are looking at an ungraded or slightly lower-quality card, it can be found for under $20 if you know where to look.

2021 Panini Donruss Rated Rookies #260 Kyle Pitts ($42)

Donruss is always a highly sought-after card, and due to the high print run, you can get your hands on a Kyle Pitts base card at a very affordable price. Expect to spend less than $20 on an excellent version of this card.

2021 Panini Illusions #72 Kyle Pitts ($35)

Looking for a holographic card that is affordable for all investors? The Kyle Pitts Panini Illusions may be just what you are looking for. A nice design featuring Pitts in his Florida uniform that costs $35 or less for a highly graded copy.

Where Can You Buy a Kyle Pitts Rookie Card?

If you are interested in buying a Kyle Pitts rookie card, there are many places to look. The first and most common is online marketplaces such as eBay. However, when looking on these sites, ensure the card is verified and graded, as there are many counterfeit cards.

Another option is to look at local hobby stores or hobby shows. At these stores, you can usually find the latest rookie cards and have them professionally graded. This is a great way to get your hands on the newest Kyle Pitts rookie card in top condition.

Finally, another option for those looking to invest in Kyle Pitts rookie cards is to go through dealers and brokers. If you know a reputable dealer or broker, they will have access to hard-to-find signed cards and graded versions of the most popular rookie cards.

How Are Kyle Pitts Rookie Cards Graded?

Cards are graded on a scale ranging between 1 and 10. Here is a breakdown of how Kyle Pitts rookie cards are graded.

• Pristine 10: These are the cream of the crop, in top condition across all four grading criteria: surfaces, corners, centering and edges. Even when viewed under 10x magnification, a Perfect 10 card is flawless.
• Gem Mint 10: Gem Mint is the next best thing to a Pristine 10. Typically, a Gem Mint card will score a Perfect 10 in three criteria, with a slightly lower score in one area due to an almost-imperceptible issue.
• Grade 9.5: Almost Gem Mint, with a very minor and unimportant flaw.
• Grade 9: Almost Mint, with minor wear or a tiny manufacturing flaw.
• Grades 8 and below: These cards have wear, condition issues and production flaws, and are graded according to the severity of these issues. Depending on rarity and customer demand, some of these cards, particularly in the higher grades, can still be quite valuable.
• Raw: A Raw card has just been removed from its original packaging.
• Ungraded: Not graded.

For further information on CGC Cards 10-point Grading Scale and to find out more about our industry-leading services, visit CGCcards.com.

Conclusion

Kyle Pitts is one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL, and his rookie cards reflect that. However, due to his age and history of injuries, the price for a Kyle Pitts rookie card varies greatly. This allows investing opportunities for collectors of all budgets and may provide some exciting long-term gains on certain cards. Always remember to verify your card before purchasing, and only invest what you are willing to lose! Happy investing.

*Any mention of "investment potential" is for entertainment only and should not be construed as investment advice. The Certified Collectibles Group does not provide investment advice and is not liable for any buy, sell or trade decisions made by any parties.