After an initial wave of quarterbacks crashed ashore for the Carolina Panthers in some early mock drafts, things got a little funky with suggestions of a particular offensive lineman and cornerback. But it’s back under center, at least here.
In the latest set of projections from Draft Wire, the Panthers use their sixth overall pick on a pretty familiar name in quarterback Kenny Pickett. Editor Luke Easterling believes head coach Matt Rhule can’t afford to pass up on another top passing prospect for the second straight year.
“The Panthers made a huge mistake passing on Justin Fields in the top 10 last year, opting instead to trade this year’s second-round pick for a failed experiment in Sam Darnold,” Easterling wrties. “Pickett is no Fields, but don’t expect the Panthers to pass on this year’s top quarterback prospect this time around.”
A Panther in his own right, the University of Pittsburgh product secured a handful of top honors for his standout 2021 campaign. Pickett was named a First-team All American, the ACC Player of the Year, the recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
To this point, there are many questions as to the quality of quarterbacks in this class. Heck, Pickett isn’t even the consensus No. 1 amongst his passing peers.
There is a consensus, however, that Rhule can’t go much longer without an answer at the game’s most important position.
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