What drafting Matt Corral means for the Panthers’ future at quarterback
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Ever since losing out on Deshaun Watson, the Panthers have slow-played upgrading their quarterback room.
When Atlanta and New Orleans — fellow Watson hopefuls — also didn’t land Watson, both teams rushed to sign a quarterback. Free agent Marcus Mariota joined the Falcons and the Saints retained Jameis Winston. Meanwhile, Carolina sat idle with Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker as the team’s only quarterbacks. Since it owned the No. 6 overall pick and knew veterans Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo were both available, there was no rush.
Eventually, the Panthers were going to acquire a new quarterback. It was a matter of when not if.
That moment finally came late in the third round of Friday’s NFL draft. After Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder went No. 74 to Atlanta and Liberty’s Malik Willis’s free-fall finally ended at No. 86 to Tennessee, the Panthers traded their 2023 third-round pick for the New England Patriots’ 94th pick and took Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral.
“One of the things that really stood out aside from the physical traits was his competitiveness and his toughness,” general manager Scott Fitterer said. “When he runs he tries to run guys over. He’s got to learn you can’t do that. What it does show is his competitive nature. When it just comes to the physical traits, the mobility, the ability to get out and throw on the run. He sees the field well. He processes quickly.”
Corral is the ninth quarterback drafted in Panthers history and the first since Carolina selected Will Grier at No. 100, also in the third round, in 2019. But this selection is different.
Through three rounds, the 2022 NFL draft is as unpredictable as any in recent memory, especially at quarterback. Willis was mocked as high as No. 2 overall by several creditable analysts. In Vegas, the over-under on first-round quarterbacks was between 3.5 and 2.5. Only one went (Kenny Pickett to Pittsburgh). Corral accepted his invitation to attend the first round on Thursday, which is usually a sign they’ll be picked.
Instead, all three fell, which is why Corral should be judged on his four-year career at Ole Miss rather than his draft position. He was a three-year starter and thrived in Lane Kiffin’s RPO-heavy passing offense. In 2021, Corral threw for 3,342 yards, rushed for 614 and totaled 31 touchdowns. He’s only 6-feet tall but his athleticism helps him create off-script plays. Several scouts told The Charlotte Observer Corral has the quickest release in his class.
During the draft process, Corral couldn’t showcase his compact throwing motion because of an ankle injury he suffered during Ole Miss’s bowl game. He did not throw at the Senior Bowl or the combine. But at his pro day, he showcased his ankle was 100 percent healthy. Carolina is confident in the medical information it gained during evaluations.
Corral brings a lot of talent into the Panthers’ quarterback room. But the team does not plan to rush him. Late Friday night after the pick, coach Matt Rhule was quick to name Darnold the starter.
“We’re gonna bring him along slowly,” Rhule said. “We’re going to train him from the ground up. He’s got a lot to learn. He’s got a lot to do, but I am unbelievably fired up to get him.”
Darnold’s early lead on the starting job won’t discourage Corral from fighting for the starting spot. The plan is to have both quarterbacks compete come training camp. The Panthers will hold a rookie mini-camp soon where Corral will get his first on-field opportunity to quarterback offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system.
Corral should adapt to McAdoo’s high-tempo west-coast system. He’ll be asked to make a lot of shotgun throws, predicated on quick deliveries and smart decision-making. He played fast at Ole Miss, too. How quickly he learns NFL verbiage and multi-read throws will determine if he can challenge Darnold.
“I’ll go in there and bring the best out of myself. And bring the best out of the people around me,” Corral said. “My competitive nature is gonna obviously want me to be the starter. I’m gonna do everything in my power that I can to do that.”
Physical traits and competitiveness aside, Corral brings an assertive style of leadership to Carolina. A swagger the Panthers’ quarterback room needs.
He may not start right away. Fitterer did not shut the door on adding a veteran quarterback. Who knows how Carolina could still add Mayfield or Garoppolo.
But eventually, Corral will start for Carolina. It’s on Rhule, Fitterer and owner David Tepper to ensure the foundation around their new rookie holds firm while a new era begins.
This story was originally published April 30, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What drafting Matt Corral means for the Panthers’ future at quarterback."
