The Facts: The Patriots are trading Smith to the Falcons for a seventh-round pick, as a former big-ticket free agent heads elsewhere and creates space for New England.

Diehards Line:It also adds another body at tight end in Atlanta, where Kyle Pitts is coming off a season-ending torn MCL in Week 11 against the Bears. He had surgery a short time later. TEs coach Justin Peelle said in Februarty that Pitts is “on schedule” in his recovery and HC Arthur Smith signaled the same. “It’s an ongoing process every day,” Smith said. “Ultimately, what matters is getting ready for training camp. Feel pretty good about where he’s at.” The addition of Smith isn't necessarily an indication Pitts is falling off schedule. The Falcons use multiple TE sets on the regular and the two Smiths, player and coach, worked together in Tennesse. ... That said, we'll be watching for more.