3 QBs the Carolina Panthers are rumored to be targeting this offseason
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could target Kenny Pickett
There was a growing sense that the Carolina Panthers were a team to watch where Kenny Pickett is concerned at the 2022 Senior Bowl. The former Pittsburgh standout has a previous connection to head coach Matt Rhule after he originally committed to Temple and following a phenomenal season, he could enter the conversation at No. 6 overall.
This would be a franchise-altering decision, obviously. But one that Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports – citing an AFC scout – is a very real possibility based on what people were saying in Mobile.
"“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.”"
Pickett has some talent. But the prospect would benefit enormously from sitting behind a veteran for a period before assuming more in the way of responsibilities at some stage.
Although this is something the Panthers could provide with Sam Darnold under contract, the risks of taking a college recruit when the team could be entering win-now mode are glaring. Carolina’s decision-makers need to be convinced Pickett is pro-ready quicker than most – but time is a luxury Rhule and others simply don’t have.