Steelers Kenny Pickett's Outstanding Tight Window Throws Highlight Rise Up In NBC's Chris Simms 2023 Quarterback Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett snuck into former NFL quarterback turned analyst Chris Simms's Top 40 countdown at the position at number 39 in 2022, largely because of his lack of NFL tape. After getting the chance to evaluate the University of Pittsburgh product in his first pro season, a lot of what he liked from Pickett in the pre-draft assessment came to fruition, resulting in a jump up in the 2023 rankings.  

Brock Purdy took the league by storm as a rookie leading to criticism of the Steelers' first-year signal caller, but Simms put that narrative to rest right away, putting Purdy behind Pickett at number 26. A lot of his analysis focused on the comparisons between the two. 

"People, do you really think Pickett couldn’t have gone to San Fransisco and done some of that stuff there?" He said. "Pickett’s arm is better than Purdy's. His release is better. He’s bigger and a better athlete. From a pure drop-back passing offense, it’s disputable, but I’d give the edge to Pickett as far as going through the progressions quickly."

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos signal-caller said that while he doesn't think Pickett has a "superstar's arm," but "it's damn good and he can make all the throws."

Steelers Pickett's Areas Of Improvement According To Simms

Simms found a lot he liked from Pickett in year one and said specifically "his ability to throw into tiny, short windows is phenomenal," but there's still a reason Pickett was 25th and not higher. 

"Does he need to improve his mentality on some of those power throws? Definitely. Does he need to be more aggressive on some of the more down-the-field power throws? Yes," Simms said. "There was a ton made of when Mitch Trubisky was in there that there were plays being left down the field. Pickett got in and they threw the ball shorter. It bothered me." 

Now, some of this criticism should probably be more directed at Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada and Simms acknowledged that he's been critical of Canada in the past, but by the numbers, it stands out. Pickett had the longest throw of the season for the team in Week 13 connecting with Pat Friermuth for a 57-yard gain. but Mitch Trubisky averaged close to a yard more per completion. 

Now, some of that will take a change in mindset from Pickett, but it will also require Canada to be more aggressive which others have called for too.  

The other question Simms has is regarding Pickett's health. He notably missed time with a pair of concussions and Simms thinks he could afford to get a bit thicker and add some muscle. Pickett himself made that a priority with his personal quarterback coach saying earlier in the offseason that he's bulking in the right way. 

If Canada and Pickett can find a way to stretch the field more than in 2022, there's a good chance Pickett will continue to rise up the annual Simms Top 40 countdown.