Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: Jason Willis’s Top-7 Quarterback Rankings

Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: Jason Willis’s Top-7 Quarterback Rankings

Grade: First Round 

After five years at the University of Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett enters the 2022 NFL Draft. A contender for the Heisman trophy, Pickett recorded 4,319 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions in 2021. This earned him All-American honors as well as his selection as the ACC Player of the Year. A redshirt senior, he attended the 2022 Senior Bowl as well.

On the field, it is clear Pickett loves football. An infectious leader, he is constantly running scrambling around the field and running for first downs which is sure to endear him to his teammates early on.

Simply, he is willing to do anything to win.

This includes throwing the ball down the field often which he does exceptionally well by throwing a beautiful, very catchable ball. While his arm isn’t crazy, it is certainly good enough as he throws with good velocity and can stretch the field. Perhaps most importantly, he manages the pocket well and rarely seems affected by pressure.

Not without his warts, the biggest talking point about Pickett will be his hand size. Choosing not to be measured at the Senior Bowl, he struggled in the practices when it rained. His aggressiveness also hurts him at times. He attempts to fit the ball into windows he simply cannot reach far too often and will have to correct this in the NFL.

The only quarterback to receive a first-round grade from me, Pickett earns the number one spot on this list. Of all the quarterbacks in this class, he is the only one I would trust to start games in his rookie year.

If the Raiders had their eyes on a quarterback to move up and get, Pickett would be the one in my opinion.