Pitt’s Kenny Pickett Lines Up With Denver Broncos’ QB Wishlist

INDIANAPOLIS — The Denver Broncos are one of the many quarterback-needy teams in the NFL this offseason. While they are only one of a few, the Broncos have a very real strategy that they will take this offseason. They will take an aggressive approach, according to general manager George Paton. While they want to get the right guy for the job as well, there are certain traits that they are looking for overall.

“We’re always going to be aggressive, disciplined,” Paton said. “We are always moving up and move back. We have 11 picks, five in the first three rounds. We have that flexibility… we will leave no stone unturned to find that guy. We need better play out of the quarterback position, so we are going to be aggressive.”

New head coach Nathaniel Hackett has certain traits that he happens to look for in his quarterbacks. Those traits mirror some of the nature of Aaron Rodgers. However, there is an undeniable resemblance to one of the draft’s top options in the traits that Hackett is trying to look for.

“I think the most important thing for a quarterback is first, they have to be tough,” Hackett said. “That’s mental and physical. The stresses they go through, just being able to stand in front of different people, and then you look at the physical aspect because even if it’s perfect, you’re gonna be hit. Then, it’s intelligence. We have long play calls. You have to understand different defenses to execute the perfect. Then, there’s accuracy. Those are the three things, and then if you’re lucky, you can get an athletic guy, too. Those are the four things we look for in a quarterback.”

Those traits line up with Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett perfectly. While it is no certainty that the Broncos will take Pickett, he is assuredly tough, intelligent, accurate, and athletic. Those are the four key traits that Pickett carries with him as a quarterback, and thus, Hackett may find himself smitten with Pickett.

With the Panthers hot on the Pickett trail as well, it may not be a certainty he is there. For the Steelers, the thought of Pickett falling to 20 is becoming less and less likely. The Broncos are one of the biggest obstacles before the Steelers get onto the clock if they end up loving the Pitt product.

Click for more coverage from Alan Saunders, Nick Farabaugh and Dan Angell, live from Indianapolis at the 2022 NFL Combine.