Kenny Pickett is one of the top few quarterbacks in the 2022 draft. He is linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers, among others – for special reasons.

Munich – The top of the 2022 quarterback class is not as spread out as its predecessors. In many mock drafts, only three up-and-coming playmakers are expected to make it into the first round – all the more reason to focus on the manageable group of top talent.

One of the top prospects is Kenny Pickett, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to 11-3 wins and the ACC title in 2021. He threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his senior season.

That wasn’t enough for the third-rounder in the Heisman voting, though; he additionally showed up to the Senior Bowl, practice and Saturday’s game this past week. “Everybody said it was a flash in the pan season,” Pickett said, “13 games at a really high level – I don’t think that’s true. That’s why I wanted to come here and show that I’m a consistent player.”

Other pluses

Showing that, Pickett did score more plus points in Mobile, including his brief stint in the Bowl for the “National Team” in its duel with the “American Team.” He also held talks with interested NFL clubs. All in all, a successful performance for him.

Two teams are particularly hotly traded. One is the Pittsburgh Steelers, where legend Ben Roethlisberger has resigned. And the Carolina Panthers, where Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker are not considered long-term solutions.

The special relationship with Pittsburgh is clear, plus offensive coordinator Matt Canada had drafted him to “Pitt.” “The opportunity to get drafted there would be unbelievable,” Pickett exults, “Pittsburgh is really my second home, so that would be a dream. We’ll see what happens.” The Steelers, however, are only the 20th overall pick in the draft.

Pickett and Rhule: “Great relationship “

In addition, he still has a “great relationship” with Panthers coach Matt Rhule. Before his senior year of high school, Pickett had committed to Temple University. The coach there at the time: Matt Rhule. After a strong season, however, even better offers came in, like the one from Pittsburgh, which Pickett eventually chose.

“I trust him,” Pickett said of Rhule: “When I talked to the players he coached before I thought about transferring at the time, they all talked about what a great guy he was and how hard they played for him.”

Maybe Rhule and Pickett will end up together after all these years – the Panthers own the sixth pick in the draft.