Kenny Pickett NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Pittsburgh Steelers' QB
April 29, 2022
HEIGHT: 6'3 1/4"
WEIGHT: 217
HAND: 8 1/2"
ARM: 30 7/8"
WINGSPAN: 6'1 3/4"
40-YARD DASH: 4.67
3-CONE: DNP
SHUTTLE: 4.29
VERTICAL: 33.5"
BROAD: 10'1"
POSITIVES
— Good height with above-average bulk for the QB position.
— Good overall athlete. Can create throws out of the pocket and make defenders miss in space when he does tuck and run. Has enough size and play strength to handle a run or two inside the tackles.
— Asked to run a wide variety of concepts and shows a solid understanding of their intent.
— Above-average overall arm strength. Flashes of throwing a nice deep ball when in rhythm.
— Good accuracy at all three levels. Is able to deliver catchable throws even when feet aren't set.
— Most dangerous when he breaks out of the pocket. Willing to attack down the field on unscripted plays. Can punish blitzes doing so.
— Willing and able to get to his checkdown.
— Competitive player who is willing to take a hit and fight for extra yards.
NEGATIVES
— Inconsistent timing on his throws that isn't as glaring at the college level due to a stout offensive line. Resorts to scramble drills too often because he ends up late.
— Notably small hands.
— Takes unnecessary sacks because he looks to scramble instead of attempting to operate from the pocket.
— Will take underneath throws when down-the-field options are available.
2021 STATISTICS
13 G, 334-497 (67.2%), 4,319 YDS (8.7 Y/A), 42 TD, 7 INT, 165.3 RTG, 98 ATT, 233 YDS (2.4 AVG), 5 TD
NOTES
— Heisman finalist
— 2021 first-team All-ACC
— 2021 second-team All-American
— 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
OVERALL
Kenny Pickett has good size and overall athleticism for the quarterback position. He was asked to run a wide variety of concepts at Pittsburgh that will make his transition to the NFL a bit easier than for other prospects.
Pickett has above-average overall arm strength with flashes of the ability to drive the ball when he's in rhythm and able to anticipate throws. He also shows competitiveness when in the pocket and when scrambling to fight for extra yards, and his willingness to take a hit is infectious for his teammates.
While Pickett shows a solid understanding of NFL-level concepts, he is inconsistent with his timing on throws, often going one-and-done with his reads. He will also end up late getting to a second option on a concept because he is guessing when the next route will become available.
He has a tendency to stare down one available route and then look to start a scramble drill outside of the pocket at unnecessary times, which can lead to sacks and missed opportunities.
Pitckett's ability to make defenders miss in the pocket and down the field and also throw off-platform on broken plays is a clear strength. He is not a statue by any means, and he can truly create plays for an offense. But he is not an overwhelming athlete, and NFL defenses will punish that tendency if his anticipation and willingness to operate from the pocket doesn't improve.
There are also times when Pickett will take underneath options on high-low concepts when deeper routes are available. It's good that he can find a throw, but he can leave some meat on the bone. As a potential 24-year-old rookie with over 40 starts in his college career, NFL teams would likely hope for more consistency in that regard.
GRADE: 7.4 (High-level backup/Potential starter - 3rd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 62
POSITION RANK: QB3
PRO COMPARISON: Taylor Heinicke