Is Kenny Pickett to the Carolina Panthers a done deal?

Could the Carolina Panthers be setting their sights on Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft?

It’s pretty obvious that the Carolina Panthers need to form a concise plan at the quarterback position and stick to it. A constant revolving door and dismal personnel moves have set the franchise back over the first two years of Matt Rhule‘s reign, which could cost the head coach his job if the team goes through similar complications during a crucial offseason period.

Trading for Sam Darnold from the New York Jets just didn’t pay off. The Panthers were gambling on the former No. 3 overall selection living up to his potential with better players around him, but a porous offensive line coupled with clear flaws not progressing as anticipated meant his first season in Carolina was a letdown of epic proportions.

Rhule was given a reprieve by team owner David Tepper for a critical Year 3 in the role. But any leeway he may have had regarding risks within key positional groups has now evaporated.

With the Panthers holding another high-end draft pick and spurning the chance to select Justin Fields last year in favor of cornerback Jaycee Horn, now might be the time for them to do down the college route. This year’s class isn’t considered to be that strong, so any decision Rhule and his staff make will come with some severe ramifications.

One player who has been linked with the Panthers in a big way is Kenny Pickett. The Pittsburgh product enjoyed a phenomenal 2021 season that resulted in his draft stock going through the roof, with many anticipating he could be the first quarterback off the board following the evaluation process.

League sources believe Carolina Panthers will draft Kenny Pickett

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, those in league circles firmly believe that the Panthers will be taking Pickett at No. 6.

Here’s what a leading talent evaluator said on Pickett to the Panthers.

"“I don’t think he makes it past the Panthers. 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.”"

This sentiment was echoed to La Canfora by an AFC scout.

"“We think he’s going to Carolina. That where I would mock him.”"

If the Panthers eventually pulled the trigger on Pickett, to say the reaction within the team’s fanbase would be mixed is understating things slightly. There are some concerns about the signal-caller’s hand size that cannot be ignored and just why it took him so long to break out in college is something else that needs to be discussed.

Pickett was recruited and committed to Rhule at Temple before going back on his original decision. So there is history linking the head coach and the player that cannot be overlooked when exploring this eventuality.

However, anyone thinking this is already a done deal is kidding themselves.

There is a long way to go in the assessment discussions right now. And the clear need for offensive line help should arguably take priority.

Much will depend on how Carolina approaches free agency. If they can get some veteran help on their protection that can contribute right away, it opens up the possibility of selecting a franchise player under center.

Although Pickett is deemed the most pro-ready, his ceiling might not be as high as someone like Malik Willis, who displayed his exceptional athletic traits to full effect at the 2022 Senior Bowl. Time is a luxury Rhule doesn’t have, so the safer option would be to take a prospect he’s already well familiar with and could produce quicker than most entering the league this year.

It is a precarious situation. One the Panthers must handle correctly.

Otherwise, heads will be rolling at some stage.