Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
If you read my Film Room piece last week on Pickett (with special guest Mark Whipple), this shouldn’t surprise you. The Pitt quarterback would have been drafted on Day 3 this past April, but he returned for a fifth season and has made a huge jump – both in performance and where he is projected to be drafted. NFL scouts now talk about Pickett as a Day 2 prospect with the talent to start at the next level. But it wouldn’t be surprising if his ascension continues into the back end of the first round.
Pickett might not have the dynamic traits that every organization is looking for at the position and his age (he’ll turn 24 before training camp) will be an issue for some. But all it takes is one NFL team to see his impressive accuracy, processing and mobility and believe Pickett can run its offense at a high level. Through six games, he has accounted for 24 total touchdowns (21 passing, three rushing) and only two turnovers (one interception, one fumble) – and the tape is more impressive than the numbers.
From the style of offense they ran in college to the physical and mental abilities, there are definitely some similarities between Pickett and Joe Burrow. I don’t expect Pickett to take home the Heisman, win a national title and be the No. 1 pick like Burrow, but it is not farfetched to see him sneak into Round 1.
If you read my Film Room piece last week on Pickett (with special guest Mark Whipple), this shouldn’t surprise you. The Pitt quarterback would have been drafted on Day 3 this past April, but he returned for a fifth season and has made a huge jump – both in performance and where he is projected to be drafted. NFL scouts now talk about Pickett as a Day 2 prospect with the talent to start at the next level. But it wouldn’t be surprising if his ascension continues into the back end of the first round.
Pickett might not have the dynamic traits that every organization is looking for at the position and his age (he’ll turn 24 before training camp) will be an issue for some. But all it takes is one NFL team to see his impressive accuracy, processing and mobility and believe Pickett can run its offense at a high level. Through six games, he has accounted for 24 total touchdowns (21 passing, three rushing) and only two turnovers (one interception, one fumble) – and the tape is more impressive than the numbers.
From the style of offense they ran in college to the physical and mental abilities, there are definitely some similarities between Pickett and Joe Burrow. I don’t expect Pickett to take home the Heisman, win a national title and be the No. 1 pick like Burrow, but it is not farfetched to see him sneak into Round 1.
