Should Dynasty Owners Feel Confident Drafting Kenny Pickett?
Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback taken in the top two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. While Pickett feels like the safest rookie quarterback to draft in dynasty formats, should fantasy owners feel confident pulling the trigger? When it comes to the fantasy potential of the new Steelers quarterback, there are actually more questions than answers.
First, are we sure Pickett is going to start Week 1? I think that matters? Everybody with a brain knows Mitch Trubisky sucks. Anybody that tells you otherwise should be exiled to a deserted island and should be viewed as a threat to society.
The Steelers still handed Trubisky more than the league minimum. Prior to the draft, he was viewed as the starter. Pickett is an older quarterback that probably doesn’t need to sit for long. At the end of the day, even if Pickett doesn’t start right away, who cares? The Steelers picked Pickett in the first round for a reason. He’s going to play.
What kind of rushing potential can we actually count on with Pickett? He’s actually a mobile guy. I’m also not sure we know the answer to this question. I honestly think Pickett could have a Ryan Tannehill rushing type profile. Tannehill rushed for 270 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago. I think that’s totally possible for Pickett and we could actually be underselling his run ability when it comes to fantasy. Pickett is far from a statue. He’s got *some* giddy up to him.
Let’s also keep in mind the Steelers won’t change their identity until Mike Tomlin retires. Probably will be a while. This team is going to run the football and play good defense. The selection of Najee Harris a year ago confirmed that belief. Pickett probably won’t find himself airing it out 50 times a game which hurts his fantasy potential.
Then again, this is the Steelers. It’s not like you’re taking a quarterback that’s going to get stuck in some shit situation. Ben Roethlisberger had plenty of productive fantasy seasons. If Pickett proves himself capable, why can’t he put up monster numbers? The positive is Pittsburgh will be patient here and you trust them to develop him to their full capabilities.
Another positive that needs to be factored in for dynasty owners. The Steelers are just damn good at drafting receivers. Nobody is better. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool is already a good starting point. Add the selection of George Pickens and the continued development of Pat Freiermuth and you’re looking at a hell of a group of weapons for Pickett to throw to.
The league rules also matter when it comes to fantasy. Pickett is way more appealing in a two quarterback league where you can pencil him in for consistent production. Keep in mind, Pickett will turn 24 in the Summer and would have been taken in the 4th round at best a year ago. I’m in on Pickett. He was my top quarterback in this class. However, asking him to sustain QB1 production as an elite level franchise quarterback similar to a Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, or Joe Burrow is a TOUGH ask.
Truthfully, I just feel as if the elite talent in the 2022 NFL Draft was on the defensive side of the ball. The landing spots for some of the receivers were also painful. In a rookie draft setting, Pickett will turn into a fine selection but the pure ceiling of his fantasy success remains very much in question.
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