4 pros and cons to the Carolina Panthers drafting Kenny Pickett in 2022
By Dean Jones
What are some pros and cons to the Carolina Panthers potentially drafting Kenny Pickett as their quarterback of the future in 2022?
It’s been a while since a quarterback lit up Bank of America Stadium with truly elite production. That arrived on Saturday evening when Kenny Pickett steered the Pittsburgh Panthers to a resounding 45-21 victory over Wake Forest to clinch the ACC Championship in fine fashion.
Pickett’s draft stock went through the rook thanks to an exceptional display. This was enough to break some long-standing program records set by the great Dan Marino and propelled the signal-caller into Heisman Trophy contention – although Alabama quarterback Bryce Harper looks to be a lock for the award following his dominant performance against Georgia.
As it happens, the Carolina Panthers have some quarterback questions to answer. Cam Newton’s return brought life to the organization, but he might not be around beyond this season and Sam Darnold’s failure to meet expectations means the organization could be back to square one once again.
There’s little doubt Pickett would have impressed general manager Scott Fitterer and company, who were reportedly in attendance for the game. But what are some pros and cons behind the Panthers potentially selecting the prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Pro No. 1
Carolina Panthers coaching staff is familiar with Kenny Pickett
Matt Rhule has been a big fan of Kenny Pickett for some time. The Panthers head coach got a commitment from the quarterback during his time at Temple and will be casting glances in the player’s direction once again during a pivotal evaluation process before Carolina makes their pick.
This familiarity might seem like nothing. But one cannot overlook the fact Rhule likes to bring in players he’s worked in the past or had an interest in before his arrival in Carolina.
Knowing his strengths and weaknesses could also allow Pickett to hit the ground running with the Panthers. Although expecting the player to come in and start right away is unrealistic.