2022 NFL Draft: Kenny Pickett faces biggest test of his season

2022 NFL Draft prospect Kenny Pickett will try to put together a resume game against the Clemson Tigers.

The 2022 NFL Draft quarterback class has been full of surprises so far this season. From Matt Corral cutting back on turnover-worthy plays to Spencer Rattler getting benched, it’s been anarchy out there for this quarterback group. On any given week, someone can step up and another take a step back. It makes big games important, and one quarterback, who’s been getting some buzz lately, has a massive game in front of him.

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett has played some great football this season, and it’s paid off. The draft community is catching on to the Panthers signal-caller and how he’s played this season. He’s played confident from the pocket, and has flashed great ball placement to every level of the field. His release is compact and his mechanics are solid. Pickett can even make some big time throws off-platform.

He gets a massive test today, as the Clemson Tigers, while not having a traditional season, still boast a fierce defense and a defensive coordinator in Brent Venables who will throw the kitchen sink at you. Venables is the king in college football with sending the blitz, and it’ll come from anywhere and everywhere.

Pickett isn’t someone who’s faced a ton of pressure this year. He has stayed poised and made throws with defenders coming at him, but today will be a different animal. Seeing him maneuver the pocket and make quick decisions will be huge, but seeing him make adjustments at the line, identify the blitz, and be confident where he’s going to go would be even better. The mental part of the game is important for quarterback development, and will show scouts and analysts that he’s more than just a flash in the pan this season.

The door is open for a quarterback to still make a move before the 2022 NFL Draft, and Kenny Pickett could go out and raise his stock with a big performance against Clemson.