PITTSBURGH, PA — With the 2022 NFL Draft moments away, the one quarterback who may be the one to watch could be Pitt Panthers record-setting quarterback, Kenny Pickett.
Pickett, a 6’3, 220-pounder from outside of Philadelphia, in Oakhurst, New Jersey, set the Pitt school record for most passing touchdowns with 42, breaking the record set by the Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame QB, and Pittsburgh native, Dan Marino.
Not to say that Pickett is the next Marino, but anything you are mentioned in the same breath of the school’s most storied QB ever in its illustrious history, you’re doing something right.
And clearly Pickett did things right in 2021 by having a breakout season in passing for over 4,319 yards, with only seven interceptions, en route to being named the 2021 ACC Player of the Year.
With other quarterbacks such as Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, Liberty’s Malik Willis and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, Pickett is likely to land in the middle to late first round with possible landing spots such as New Orleans, Tennessee and oh yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who happen to be in need of a young quarterback.
Yes, despite having former 2017 No.2 pick in Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph on the roster, it makes too much sense to not nab Pickett, whom played right in their own backyard at Heinz Field.
Depending on where he lands, Pickett could either sit a year and learn, or be a Week 1 starter, under the right circumstances.
Thanks to good mobility and a quality arm, Pickett could very well develop into a quality NFL starter. While there are questions about his hand size and the fact that is older than most other QB prospects at 24, Pickett would be a seasoned rookie, who would be mature and able to learn more under the right veteran.
Which is why Pickett and the Steelers makes so much sense, as he had already be in and around the six-time Super Bowl franchise, while at Pitt and is very familiar with the culture and loft expectations of playing in the Steel City.
Only time will tell, but if teams can overlook his question hand size and lone breakout season as a fluke, then Pickett could the perfect replacement and heir that the Steelers are looking for.
Wow!
This writer wrote this on the day of the draft and got it right! The Steelers chose the Pitt QB! Amazing prediction! I hadn’t seen anyone predict that! Amazing this writer was able to think outside of the box! This must be why this site has won so many awards! I can’t wait for the next brilliant prediction! Amazing job.