The Lions are among several NFL teams doing their due diligence on former Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lions set to host Pitt QB Kenny Pickett next week

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/15/22

If nothing else, the Detroit Lions are putting in work to keep outsiders guessing ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft that opens on April 28.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters at the league's annual meetings in late March that he could draft a to-be rookie quarterback in the first round who would sit and learn behind veteran starter Jared Goff. As things stand today, Detroit owns picks No. 2 and No. 32 overall.

The situation became a bit more interesting, though, when head coach Dan Campbell remarked last week he wants to use the second selection on "a day one starter." Campbell also admitted the Lions could utilize that asset to grab a signal-caller "if you really love a guy and you know people are going to be all over him, and the only way to acquire that guy is pick them where they're at, it's something worth thinking about, especially if you think you can develop those guys."

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Pittsburgh Panthers product Kenny Pickett could be that guy, as he's set to visit with the Lions next week.

One of the #Lions’ final pre-draft visits next week will be with Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, per sources.

It’s the only known QB visit for Detroit, which owns three of the top 34 picks, including No. 2 overall. Continuing due diligence on top prospects.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 15, 2022

Pickett has confidently explained why he believes he should be the first quarterback taken in this year's draft, and some experts agree with his evaluation. Less than two full weeks before the player-selection process begins, three CBS Sports analysts have listed Pickett as a top-six pick in their mock drafts, while CBS' Pete Prisco currently predicts Pickett will drop to No. 8.

However, Ryan Wilson of CBS now has Pickett falling all the way down to the last choice of the draft's first round and to none other than the Lions.

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