Mel Kiper Jr. has a new No. 1 atop his 2022 quarterback rankings for the NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett now has the top spot after a tremendous start to the 2021 season. Kiper announced his top five QBs on Wednesday.

Pickett is joined by Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, Liberty’s Malik Willis and North Carolina’s Sam Howell inside the top five.

Coming into the year, Pickett wasn’t on the NFL radar in a significant way. He opted to return to school for his fifth year of eligibility in 2021, and that has turned out to be an excellent choice.

The Panthers are 6-1 and Pickett has established himself as one of the most efficient passers in the country. Couple his production with the struggles of Howell and Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, and this draft class is suddenly wide open.

Kiper has Pickett at No. 15 overall in his latest mock draft. The other QBs included in the first round are Corral at No. 20 and Ridder at No. 25.

Pickett is also the top ACC player in this mock. Boston College’s Phil Jurkovec also made Kiper’s list of top 10 quarterbacks, coming in at No. 6.

Pickett and the Panthers will be back in action again on Saturday vs. Miami.