Pro Football Focus disses Pickett in mock draft, has Steelers taking QB

ALTOONA, Pa. -- There's no shortage of mock drafts leading up to any NFL draft, and sometimes you see one that's clearly trying to make some kind of statement.

One such mock was unveiled Monday by Pro Football Focus writer Anthony Treash. You can view his two-round projection here:

If you click on it looking for where he has Pitt's Kenny Pickett going, you'll find yourself scrolling down ... and scrolling down ... and scrolling down.

Until you finally get to the end. And at that point, you'll be convinced that you missed Pickett somewhere along the way, so you'll go back through it again.

Only to find the same result.

Pickett isn't listed anywhere in this particular two-round mock draft.

Say what?

Treash is listed as the "lead college analyst" for Pro Football Focus, which is considered by many to be the industry leader when it comes to college and pro football analysis.

But despite Pickett being considered a first-round pick by just about everyone, this particular writer dissed him so badly that he doesn't even have him going in the top two rounds.

And that's despite his own company sending out this tweet about Pickett just two days prior.

This PFF mock draft does not have Pickett as one of the four quarterback drafted in the first two rounds. The first QB projected, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, goes at No. 8 to the Atlanta Falcons.

Steelers fans may like the second QB off the board, as it's Liberty's Malik Willis going to Pittsburgh at No. 20. That marriage is a good possibilty, one would think, since numerous mocks have Willis going to the Steelers.

Here's what the mock draft said about the pick:

Willis tops this quarterback class in terms of tools, as his rushing ability gives him a high floor while his big arm gives him one of the highest ceilings in the class. The Liberty product led the FBS in both PFF rushing grade (94.5) and big-time throw rate (11%) a season ago.

There are concerns about how raw he is as a passer, which makes it very possible he ends up closer to his floor in the long run. He will need to work on his decision-making, pocket presence, accuracy, timing and inconsistency within his platform. He made strides in some of those areas last season, but there is still a long road ahead.

This particular mock also has the Steelers taking a Penn State product in the second round. See below for who.

All in all, the Pro Football Focus mock draft doesn't really seem crazy or anything. Treash's picks, by and large, match up accordingly with other mocks with regards to many players.

Except Pickett.

Here are some other notables in the PFF mock draft, plus what the outlet wrote about each player:

FIRST ROUND

* Penn State WR Jahan Dotson: No. 25 to the Buffalo Bills

Dotson may not be a physically imposing receiver, but he is a promising prospect because of his ball skills and strong route-running ability. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound receiver is coming off an 87.5 PFF grade and dropped only two of his 138 targets. He made highlight-reel catches look routine at Penn State and should continue to do so at the NFL level.

SECOND ROUND

* Penn State DE Arnold Ebiketie: No. 41 to the Seattle Seahawks

Ebiketie is a fringe first-round pick, but the shape of the teams picking before this point and the depth of the position in the class means that Seattle steals the Penn State edge rusher at No. 41.

The 256-pounder enjoyed a mini-breakout campaign with the Temple Owls in 2020 and sustained that success in the Power Five, stepping up in Shaka Toney and Odafe Oweh‘s absence by earning a 90.5 pass-rush grade for the Nittany Lions in 2021.

Ebiketie uses his hands really well and enters the league with a high floor, given his 34.1-inch arms and explosiveness.

* Penn State S Jaquan Brisker: No. 52 to the Steelers

Brisker earned three straight 80.0-plus PFF grades from 2019 to 2021. He recorded a couple of interceptions and four pass breakups en route to an 89.5 coverage grade this season. He is a smart player with a high floor.

There are no Pitt players slotted in this particular two-round mock draft.