Senior Bowl 2022: Every NFL team’s ideal prospect fit to target

Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

There may not be a more critical top-10 pick than the one currently owned by the Carolina Panthers, at least in terms of peoples’ jobs being at stake.

Matt Rhule was given another year by Carolina, and rightfully so. They are only two years into the Rhule era, but they have been reckless with draft capital and have put themselves in a bit of a bind.

Yes, the Panthers have players like Sam Darnold, Stephon Gilmore, and CJ Henderson on the roster. Hope is not lost for all of those players but the draft picks used to acquire them are.

The Panthers need to get this first-round pick right. The question at this point is, will Matt Rhule really be willing to hitch his wagon to Sam Darnold for another season?

That seems doubtful.

Once upon a time, Rhule recruited Kenny Pickett to play for him at Temple, and Pickett committed to him. Then he decommitted and wound up at Pitt where he was one of the most improved players in the country.

Pickett could become the top QB off the board and the Panthers might be the team that takes him. He seems like one of the more pro-ready guys at the QB position in this class, which is not super highly regarded.