Certainly not worth a first round pick. Though many fans like TB may point the finger at Matt Canada, eh.
They can point away but your point is still 100%
Pittsburgh was in a tough spot and as much as some will argue the extent teams consider the fans support, I have no doubt that if Pickett played for Virginia, South Carolina, Texas etc instead of Pitt, they wouldnt have drafted him there.
One thing about college football over the years as it pertains to QB play is to not measure a kid off of 1 throw, 1 game or even 1 season good or bad, when the result is quite different from the overall body of work.
In the case of Pickett I think the writing was on the wall in plain view.
Quoting the old Imus in the morning show's famous gag with Cardinal O'Connor, "What doesnt belong and why??"