Falcons GM Terry Fontenot: We coveted Kyle Pitts for a long time

Entering Thursday's NFL draft, it was unclear what the Atlanta Falcons were going to do. Apparently, though, they knew exactly which player they were going to select despite speculation they might choose a quarterback.

The Falcons selected Florida tight end Kyle Pitts with the fourth-overall pick. He was a player the franchise had its eyes on for a long time, general manager Terry Fontenot said.

"[We] coveted that player for a long time, his skill set, the talent is clear and what he's going to bring on the field and he's also a tremendous young man," Fontenot said, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "Every exposure, every opportunity to spend time with him and talk with him and all the research, he's got high character, so exactly what we want to build this program on."

Pitts was viewed as one of the best non-quarterbacks in this year's draft after catching 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns during his final season with the Gators.

The 20-year-old joins a Falcons offense that includes Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. He should be one of Ryan's top targets this coming season.