Kenny Pickett, after warming up for Pitt’s pro day, was called over by Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer. The executive, flanked by head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, asked Pickett a question.
“Do you wanna see it?” Pickett replied with a laugh.
Yes, Fitterer wanted to see the quarterback’s hand size. Pickett held his right hand out for the trio to take a look. Then, he showed Carolina’s brass his grip on an NFL-sized football. Everything checked out as Pickett left the mini huddle smiling. Moments later, Pickett put on a show for everyone in attendance and watching at home.
Monday’s pro day was an event. ESPN’s Todd McShay was there. NFL Network broadcasted it. Every NFL team was represented except the Los Angeles Rams, who have zero picks in the first 100 selections. Pickett was quick to point out that he had teammates working out, too, trying to impress scouts. But No. 8 was the main attraction, checking off one more box before hearing his name called next month.
“It’s a crazy process,” Pickett said, admitting he’s not sure how the draft will shake out. “Every day I wake up and there’s some news going on, guys getting traded. But I’ll be right where I’m supposed to be at the end of April. So I’m excited to get there.”
Funny enough, within minutes of Pickett talking there was even more movement on the quarterback market. Matt Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. The Atlanta Falcons signed Marcus Mariota. And the New Orleans Saints brought back Jameis Winston. Those moves don’t necessarily preclude the Falcons or Saints, who own the eighth and 18th overall picks, respectively, from pursuing a rookie quarterback. But Pickett’s point on keeping up with the free agency news was well taken.
Like the hand size storylines at the NFL combine, he can’t control certain things. What he could control was what he did at Pitt’s South Side facility on Monday afternoon.
Pickett didn’t run a 40-yard dash or take part in any drills he completed three weeks ago in Indianapolis. But he did throw to Lucas Krull, Taysir Mack, Melquise Stovall and Tre Tipton. Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison also got in on the action, running a handful of deep routes.
Pickett was appreciative of Addison for coming out. Soon-to-be draft-eligible underclassmen are allowed to work out at pro days. That provided an opportunity for Pickett to connect with his top target in 2021 and for Addison to show off a bit in front of coaches and executives. “He helped me as much as he helped himself,” Pickett added.
It’s not a coincidence that Pickett looked his best when targeting Addison during a workout that had everyone’s attention. Pickett was on the money 60 yards downfield. He was also sharp on short-to-intermediate throws to Krull, Mack, Stovall and Tipton.
Watching him closely was Rhule, who chatted with both Pickett and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi throughout the morning and afternoon. The Panthers have the sixth overall pick and are in the market for a quarterback. Rhule also has a history with Pickett after nearly securing his signature years ago. Before picking up an offer from Pitt, Pickett was verbally committed to play for Rhule at Temple.
Pickett caught up with Carolina’s coach briefly in Indianapolis. But he had more of an extensive chat with Rhule while teammates were running drills. “Hopefully I’ll see him down the road,” Pickett said.
The Washington Commanders, who traded for Carson Wentz and have the 11th overall pick, were heavily represented. So were the Falcons and, of course, the Steelers. Mike Tomlin was the only other head coach in attendance. Pitt’s neighbors had a collection of assistants there, including the newly hired Brian Flores. Outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert was singled out and recognized by Narduzzi during a break in the action.
Will Pickett be one of Colbert’s final draft picks? After the Steelers signed Mitchell Trubisky last week, who knows?
Right now, the only certainty in all this for Pickett is the uncertainty. That’ll be the case for at least a few more weeks. In the meantime, he’ll head back to New Jersey, prepare for the next opportunity and await his fate.
“It’s back to training,” Pickett said. “I’m excited to get on a team and work toward winning a championship and get back to playing football.”
Mathis’ massive performance
This time last year, cornerback Jason Pinnock used Pitt’s pro day as a launching point from projected undrafted free agent to eventual fifth-round draft choice. On Monday, his old teammate might have secured his place as a Day 2 selection.
Damarri Mathis, after impressing with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, logged a 43 1/2-inch vertical jump. That’s better than any vertical jump at this year’s combine. Mathis also recorded a broad jump of 11 feet, one inch.
“I felt like I was going to test well,” Mathis said, rocking sunglasses inside. “I know myself, know my abilities. I’m confident in that.”
“He’s tough. He’s physical. He’s got ball skills,” Narduzzi said of Mathis, a 25-game starter who ranked ninth nationally among cornerbacks against the run last season, per Pro Football Focus. “He might be the most talented corner we’ve had come out of here in seven years.”
From snubbed to ‘super happy’
Twenty-one tight ends were invited to the combine. Krull wasn’t one of them.
“No disrespect to anybody, but I felt like I should’ve been there,” said Krull, a second-team All-ACC selection last season. “It’s a thing that growing up you want to do. I didn’t get that opportunity. So I had to come here and prove everyone wrong.”
The 6-foot-6 target ran an unofficial 4.54-second 40-yard dash. He also had a 35-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot broad jump and a 4.35-second short shuttle — all of which would have ranked top four among tight ends in Indy.
“I feel like people haven’t been really looking my way as much as I thought they would. That’s something I came here to provide, and I think I did that well,” Krull said. “... This is just the beginning.”
