3 reasons why the Steelers should draft QB Kenny Pickett

Reason 2: Can Handle the Pressure

This year, Pickett has shown he can handle pressure when the opposing defense goes after him. Pickett has stayed calm and collected in the pocket and has been clean on the stat sheet so far this year when under pressure and when being blitzed.

When under pressure against defenses this year, Pickett has thrown 47 times and has only completed 19 of those throws. This only gives him a 40.4% completion percentage. Looking on the outside, those numbers look bad, but you have to take into consideration that some of those are throw-aways, he doesn’t force anything that is not there. He has thrown 4 touchdowns to 0 interceptions for 267 yards in 7 games when under pressure by the opposing defense.

When blitzed by defenses, Pickett has been stellar. He has been blitzed 36.8% of the time and has completed 55 of his 85 passes thrown. This gives him a 64.7% completion percentage when blitzed by the opposing defense. He has thrown for 738 yards averaging 8.7 yards per throw with 12 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. These stats are hard to overlook because of his efficiency when under pressure in the pocket.

The Steelers need a quarterback that can handle pressure situations and Kenny Pickett is that guy. Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t have the quickness to adjust to defenses and Mason Rudolph has already shown he cannot handle that type of pressure from NFL-caliber defenses. This is another reason why the Steelers should draft Pickett.