There aren’t many prospects facing more scrutiny in the 2022 NFL draft than Kenny Pickett. The former Pitt Panthers quarterback has a great shot at being the first passer picked this year, and he’s also very much on the New Orleans Saints’ radar. Pickett said on the Breneman Shows Up program that he’s met with New Orleans twice, at both the NFL scouting combine and around this year’s Senior Bowl. Saints quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Ronald Curry was in attendance for his pro day workout and throwing session.
Pickett spoke about the ways the Saints looked to challenge him during their pre-draft meetings: “Toughest interview? Saints was a good one, Saints was really good. They would try to give you a long play call, you have a stand up call like you’re in a huddle, and then you’ve got to watch film and then it’s ‘what was that play call again?’ They try to bounce you all over the place. They were the same at the Senior Bowl, they do a good job.”
There’s definitely an argument in favor of New Orleans drafting a quarterback this year, and Pickett likely needs the least time to prepare to start in Week 1 out of the rookie class (thanks to his 49 career starts at Pitt). He’s been linked to the Saints often in recent mock drafts from ESPN’s Mel Kiper and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, even after the team re-signed Jameis Winston on a two-year deal. The thinking goes that Winston is still a well-paid band-aid on a problem that needs a long-term solution, and Pickett is someone who could legitimately challenge him in training camp.
On the other hand: if the Saints are looking to win now, investing their most valuable draft pick in a player who might not see the field as a rookie is not the wisest move. That selection could be spent on a high-end wide receiver or a replacement for left tackle Terron Armstead. It’s a question the Saints are going to grapple with for the next month: should they focus on building around Winston or drafting his replacement?
