Since 2000, 65 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. In the past two years alone, nine quarterbacks have gone in Round 1.
There will be a few this year as well despite the quarterback draft class not being as deep as it has been in recent years.
One of the top guys at the position is Pitt’s Kenny Pickett. He could be the first signal-caller off the board, but who will draft him? Here’s a look at the odds and predictions on the team to select Pickett.
QB-Needy Teams
Last year, Jacksonville took Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the draft. There isn’t a quarterback worthy of the first pick this year, nor is there a need as the Jags have the first pick once again.
Of the first five teams to pick this year, none are in desperate need of a quarterback. It’s not until Pick No. 6 that there is a team with a glaring quarterback weakness – Carolina.
The Panthers do have Sam Darnold, but he has never lived up to his first-round billing. Also among the top ten picks is Atlanta which traded Matt Ryan to Indianapolis in the offseason. The Falcons pick at No. 8.
At No. 9 is Seattle, which traded Russell Wilson to Denver and got Drew Lock in return. Many feel that the Seahawks will be looking to draft a quarterback if the right guy is available at No. 9.
Going down the list, Pittsburgh is another team that could draft a quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger retired in the offseason. Pittsburgh signed former Bears and Bills QB Mitch Trubisky to compete with Mason Rudolph.
Any one of these teams would love to have a guy like Pickett. Which one will pull the trigger?
Pickett’s Charge
The team that drafts Pickett will get a guy who led Pittsburgh to an ACC championship and an 11-2 record. He passed for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns last season. Pickett completed over 67 percent of his passes and threw just seven interceptions all season.
Pickett tested well at the NFL combine. He’s got good size at 6-3 and 217 pounds. He ran a 4.73 40-yard dash. Of all the quarterbacks in this draft, Pickett is the most NFL ready of them all.
The Carolina Connection
When Pickett was a senior at Ocean Township HS in New Jersey, he first committed to play college football at Temple University in Philadelphia.
The head coach of the Owls at the time was a guy named Matt Rhule. That would be the same Matt Rhule that is now the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Rhule liked Pickett then and he likes him now even better.
Which Team Will Select Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Because of the need and the connection between Pickett and Rhule, there is no way the Panthers will pass on a guy like Pickett. He’s more NFL-ready than any other quarterback in this draft and that is why Carolina will take him at No. 6.
PICK: CAROLINA PANTHERS +150
Team to Draft Kenny Pickett Betting Lines
Carolina Panthers +150
New Orleans Saints +200
Pittsburgh Steelers +400
Tennessee Titans +1000
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Atlanta Falcons +2000
Detroit Lions +2000
Washington Commanders +2000
Indianapolis Colts +2200
Philadelphia Eagles +2500
Houston Texans +2800
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +5000
New York Jets +5000
New York Giants +6600
Find out who we’re betting on to be the 1st QB selected in the 2022 NFL draft.