LaCanfora asks evaluators about Pickett...

[Mr. Scot]

...in his latest Insider Notes.

I spoke to three top evaluators for teams all very much in need of a new starting quarterback, most likely to pursue that end through the draft if possible, and all three said essentially the same thing: Pickett is the most consistent and more ready QB in this draft, and he is quite likely going to be the first selected after a strong week of work at the Senior Bowl.

"Coming off last week, you'd have to say that he's the guy," said one NFC evaluator with a long and strong history of selecting quarterbacks.

"Pickett was the best of the bunch," said another NFC top executive. "I'm not sure it was all that close. He had a good week. There is a lot to like about him."

Indeed, while we can obsess about hand size and such, the kid has a nice body of work at the college level, his hands didn't bother him playing in the elements at Pitt, he has a tremendous makeup, there are no character or off-field concerns and he rose to the occasion with the scouting world watching last week. It wasn't a tour de force or anything like that, just more than enough to cement himself as the safest call as the first quarterback to go in this draft, and to do so in the top third of the first round.

In fact, several evaluators said that they could see him going in the top five, possibly, or very close to it. At a time in which DeShaun Watson's future is as murky as ever, and some in ownership circles believe his criminal and civil situation might end up being even more of a cause for concern than what is presently know, one of the former Pro Bowl QB's top former suitors is already being strongly connected to Pickett now, so early in this process.

Word is, the Carolina Panthers are taking a strong shine to Pickett, which makes sense on multiple levels. The Panthers own the No. 6 pick.

"I don't think he makes it past the Panthers," said one evaluator who has done extensive work on Pickett. "Their owner (David Tepper) is a huge Pitt booster. He hasn't invested draft capital in a quarterback yet. He has to know the Steelers like him (Tepper is a former minority investor in the Steelers). I think that's a fit."

One AFC scout said: "We think he's going to Carolina. That where I would mock him."

Again, it's very early here. We'll see what happens at the combine and on individual visits and such. But with some of this quarterback class dealing with injuries, or the aftermath of injuries, and few of them coming off truly standout seasons, this could be one of those years that plays out where the consensus top guy coming off the Senior Bowl ends up going top of the class.

Right now that certainly looks like Pickett.

 Draft insight from scouts and execs

Edited February 9, 2022 by Mr. Scot

[PhillyB]

ugh

[davos]

It's true.  Everything aligns from Tepper's background, to the QB need, to having our highest draft pick since Cam.  Only difference this time around is having a lame duck coach instead of one in his first season.

If we draft him, I will hope for the best.  And by best, meaning he shows promise, hands aren't an issue, we still suck, and get a new coach to bring him up in 2023.

 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, davos said:

It's true.  Everything aligns from Tepper's background, to the QB need, to having our highest draft pick since Cam. 

The angle of Tepper being a big Pitt booster is something I probably wouldn't even have thought of. He and Pickett could have plenty to talk about come interview time.

Obviously, that sort of thing shouldn't play into these decisions but ya know...

[Mike in Raleigh]

Top five? Rhule is going to sell the farm to move up no doubt. Welcome to Hell.

[hepcat]

God I hope someone trades up and drafts him ahead of the Panthers. Would rather trade down and roll the dice on Willis than draft Pickett at 6. Pickett would have been a 3rd round pick in 2021

[SCO96]

Let's say we pick him. Do you think that's a strong indication we're going to role with BC at LT in 2022 and Deonte at RG?

If that is the plan, we could possibly find a guard/center in the 4th round and role with that as our starting line with Efflein at center or a guard position. That's not a top 10 line on paper, but I think it's a lot better than what we put on the field this year. Also, the new OL coach should definitely make an impact in 2022.

I'd love to find a solid FA acquisition, but I just don't think we are going to be a favorite/desired destination for the top lineman this off-season. I could see Norwell possibly coming back since he played so well here to start his career...and he just completed a big money deal. But, as for the other guys on the market, I'd be shocked if we signed a B level lineman during free agency...unless the prospect of playing under James Campen is a strong incentive to come here.

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, hepcat said:

God I hope someone trades up and drafts him ahead of the Panthers. Would rather trade down and roll the dice on Willis than draft Pickett at 6. Pickett would have been a 3rd round pick in 2021

I have a hard time imagining someone trading up into the top five for Kenny Pickett.

[Luciu5]

At the very least, it does sound as if it's consensus that he is the best of the class. I've read that a couple places already as well. I think 6 is a reach but from the scouts it sounds like it's not a massive reach, as in a whole round?

[LinvilleGorge]

It's going to take years to dig ourselves out of this Rhule hole and that's assuming Tepper actually makes a smart hire post-Rhule which is an assumption based on absolutely blind hope.

[davos]

7 minutes ago, hepcat said:

God I hope someone trades up and drafts him ahead of the Panthers. Would rather trade down and roll the dice on Willis than draft Pickett at 6. Pickett would have been a 3rd round pick in 2021

To be fair, his 2021 season was by all means a really good one at Pitt.  I do think he'd be a fringe 1st/2nd rounder last year.

2020, I'd say he would have gone ahead of Jordan Love, well behind Herbert. 1st.

2019, ahead of Lock & Haskins.  Ahead or behind Daniel Jones? 1st either way.

2018, he would have been considered in that Rosen/Lamar Jackson tier.  Mid-late 1st.  

2017, well ahead of Kizer, behind Watson/Mahomes.

He seems like a mid to late first most years but will be drafted higher very much like Daniel Jones' situation.  

 

Edited February 9, 2022 by davos

[davos]

9 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

The angle of Tepper being a big Pitt booster is something I probably wouldn't even have thought of. He and Pickett could have plenty to talk about come interview time.

Obviously, that sort of thing shouldn't play into these decisions but ya know...

It will be the Pennsylvania club with Rhule, Tepper, & this kid.

[Mr. Scot]

From the same article, here are the scouts comments about Willis...

Malik Willis of Liberty didn't hurt his cause, either. Yes, his week was more up and down, but he is a bit more of a feast or famine prospect. And his highs seemed to be high enough to swirl up more interest.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder a bit, and Liberty isn't exactly the biggest of the big time settings for college football, but Willis more than held his own against the best in this draft class and he has the ability to do some things physically that the others cannot.

"He did just enough to probably get someone to over-draft him," as one evaluator put it. "He can charm you with some of the things he can do. But I'm not totally sold."

Another scout said: "He is a playmaker, but it's what happens between those big plays that makes you worry some."

Given the construct of this group – with few if any sure things and questions abounding about all the prospects – Willis is likely to continue to rise. His athleticism will shine through at the combine and his pro day, and in the right hands he could be someone who blossoms a few years from now in a really big way. I like what I saw from the young man and hope he is lucky enough to be "over-drafted" (i.e. pushed up draft boards more because of the need at the position than by the individual's readiness to start) by a shrewd franchise that already has a stable veteran in place and isn't in a hurry to make the investment pay off on game day.

Him landing in a Jordan Love-type scenario – minus Aaron Rodgers's ranting and ravings – would be ideal. But of course he can't control that.

[LinvilleGorge]

Top talent evaluators of teams needing a QB: "Hey y'all, think we can get that dumbass to actually draft Kenny Pickett #6 overall?"