No. 33 NFL quarterback in 2022: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers searched far and wide for a quarterback to pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As it turns out, they didn’t have to look any further than their own locker room, which is shared by the Pitt Panthers and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Pickett, the Steelers’ top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is the heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger. At least, for the long-term, he is.
Pickett’s ascent in the 2021 college football season was a lot of fun to watch. He made some outstanding throws throughout the season and although his ascent wasn’t quite on the level of Joe Burrow, you got some similar vibes from thos guys.
Pickett has good pocket awareness and is a good athlete who can make plays with his legs. Don’t believe me?
They literally had to create a rule after one of the plays he made last season.
.@Realrclark25 is worried that Kenny Pickett's fake slide could result in future targeting penalties from defenders. pic.twitter.com/sx02atGQHF
— ESPN (@espn) December 6, 2021
You love that kind of backyard swag from your quarterback. Although that type of move won’t fly anymore, it goes to show the kind of competitor and instinctive football player that Pickett is.
In the middle of a game, his brain is thinking of every way possible to create additional yardage instead of typical programming to just slide and go down there.
Pickett is a competitor. He was lights out in the red zone last season. He can drop the ball in a bucket from pretty much anywhere on the field.
He’s set up well for long-term success with the coaching and arsenal of playmakers in Pittsburgh.