Panthers, Steelers send top brass to Kenny Pickett's Pro Day

As the 2022 NFL Draft approaches, teams are sending out scouts all over the country to the top Pro Days on college campuses. On Monday, the Pitt Panthers hosted their Pro Day, featuring top-five quarterback prospect Kenny Pickett. While there were at least nine quarterback coaches in attendance, two teams sent their general managers and head coaches to check out the Pitt star.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule both watched Pickett go through his second combine. He also remeasured his hand size, measuring 8 5/8 inches, an increase of 1/8 of an inch, according to NFL.com.

The Panthers have the No. 6 pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s likely too high of a spot for them to take Pickett, however, they could make a favorable trade for him. The Steelers have the No. 20 pick in the first round. However, they recently added Mitch Trubisky to the QB room, making their choice less clear.

Kenny Pickett named Mel Kiper’s top 2022 QB prospect

ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper released his second mock draft of the offseason on Tuesday morning. Following his second mock draft being released, Kiper has addressed his favorite quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class: Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett.

While Kiper favors Pickett, he also notes that Liberty’s Malik Willis is right there with him. Kiper then made some interesting comparisons to how Pickett could fare in the NFL.

“Slightly,” Kiper said when naming Pickett his favorite quarterback in the 2022 draft class. “Malik Willis, to me, is right there with him. One’s at 19, the other is at 20. Malik Willis has unbelievable talent, he’s not there yet. Kenny Pickett is a guy, I think, best-case scenario, Derek Carr and that Andy Dalton-mold as well. If he is Derek Carr, the team that drafts Kenny Pickett, if it is Washington at No. 11, is going to be very happy.”

Kiper indeed had Pickett as the first quarterback taken in his second mock draft, going 11th overall to the Washington Commanders. He had Willis going 20th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The third and final quarterback taken in Kiper’s latest first round, the Detroit Lions selected Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral.

Pickett has the most experience among the top quarterbacks in the draft class, as he just wrapped up his fifth season at Pittsburgh. This past season was the best of his career. In 13 games, he threw for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 233 yards and five scores on the ground. Through his five-year collegiate career, Pickett threw for 12,303 yards with 81 touchdowns and 32 interceptions.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.