Of the nine players selected by the Falcons in the NFL draft, tight end Kyle Pitts is the lone representative in the NFLPA’s 2021 Rookie Premiere Class. Pitts, selected No. 4 overall, is highly regarded as the best non-QB in this year’s class, so his inclusion is warranted.
Players didn’t necessarily need to be drafted high in order to be included, so the exclusion of safety Richie Grant seems to be suspect. This is especially true considering two of the five defensive backs chosen were selected well after Atlanta picked Grant in round two.
The NFLPA Rookie Premiere Class is an exclusive trading card collection by their partner Panini America. According to Panini and the NFLPA, a player’s status for selection is a combination of factors including position, college performance, draft status, and overall demand or marketability.
Pitts shares this honor with Hunter Long (Miami Dolphins) and Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers). All three were taken in the top 100. Each player included in this list will have a deeper understanding on the business side of football and be given a head start in endorsement deals.
