Washington Football Team Mock Draft: A franchise QB finally arrives

Kenny Pickett touches down in Washington Football Team 2022 Mock Draft

1. First Round: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh 

Taylor Heinicke is a great person and an intelligent football player. He can inspire his teammates and come in and be a leader. He deserves to be on the roster.

Unfortunately, he’s not a long-term starter. As such, Washington turns to the draft, and given how the board falls; they race to the podium to select Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett, who finished third in the Heisman voting and led Pittsburgh to the ACC Championship this past season, the Panthers’ first conference title since 2010.

Pickett will always be remembered for his fake slide that set college football ablaze and changed the game for the future, but what goes unnoticed is how Pickett played overall against the Demon Deacons. After Wake Forest took a 21-14 lead in the first quarter on a highlight touchdown catch by Taylor Morin, Pickett took command for the rest of the game en route to a 45-21 win, 31 unanswered points.

His size and strength scream first-round pick, as does his resume. Pickett was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the nation’s top upperclassmen quarterback. Additionally,  he threw for 40 touchdowns with only seven interceptions and over 4,000 passing yards in the regular season.

It may have been a breakout season, but he has shown that he can produce. Additionally, Washington needs a quarterback with dual-threat ability. As such, Pickett will be heading to the nation’s capital and hopefully become the next franchise quarterback.

In Rounds 2-3, Washington again looks to give their young franchise quarterback some help, plus, they make a trade that nets them an extra draft pick that provides a depth piece.