Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh: Scouting Report

Overall

Kenny Pickett is a strong, pocket passer in Pittsburgh’s shotgun heavy offense. In his 5 college seasons, he played in 52 games, starting in 50 of them. He is a good athlete and can make big plays in the pocket as well as on the run.

Pass Game

Pickett primarily played in the shotgun in college but showed good footwork in the pocket and had the awareness to avoid pressure and extend plays. After the snap, he does a very good job of scanning the entire field and reading the defense before making his passes. He has very good arm strength and was consistently accurate on long sideline throws across the field. This arm strength also allows Pickett to fit the ball into tight windows, especially over the middle of the field. His deep ball however is very inconsistent. At times he makes the accurate throw while other times, his passes hang in the air too long allowing defenders to make big plays on the ball. When facing pressure, Pickett can evade the rush and is very accurate when on the run. He also does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield when outside of the pocket. He is an accurate passer, can read defenses, and has the arm strength to make NFL level throws which is why he has the talent to be a consistent starter in the league.

Run Game

Pickett was rarely used on designed quarterback runs but his size allowed him to be used on short yardage plays to get critical first downs with his legs. When escaping pressure, he has the athleticism to get to the second level and make big plays. While running is not his strong suit, his athleticism can cause problems to defense at the next level.

Last Word

Pickett is what you want in a prototypical franchise quarterback. He has the size, arm strength, toughness, and awareness to be very successful in the NFL. He projects best in a shotgun heavy, balanced offense where he can scan the field while in the pocket and use his arm strength to make plays all over the field. He is a high floor player who will consistently be a “win-win” quarterback and with the right pieces around him, he can absolutely develop into a “win because of” quarterback.

One Liner: Pickett has all the intangibles to be a strong starter in the NFL, but his inconsistent deep ball and lack of exceptional play-making limits his ceiling as a player.

Grade: 6.7 (Solid Starting Quarterback)

Team Fits: Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints