Some early 2022 mock drafts have had somewhat of a fitting link for the Carolina Panthers, with University of Pittsburgh Panther Kenny Pickett heading to Charlotte. But things were bound to change a bit, no?
(Hey, we still have over four months to go here.)
Anyway, our friends at Draft Wire uncorked a new mock for the new year and gave Carolina a new quarterback in the process—University of Mississippi’s Matt Corral.
“Taking nothing away from Jaycee Horn, the Panthers missed a golden opportunity in the 2021 draft when Justin Fields fell to them at No. 8 overall,” writes editor Luke Easterling. “Now, they’re left still searching for a franchise quarterback after trading this year’s second-round pick for a Sam Darnold experiment that has already failed. Corral will need some development, but he’s got all the tools to be a difference-maker at the game’s most important position.”
Corral’s dual-threat talents have made him one of the more intriguing prospects of the class. In 2021, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder threw for 3,343 yards with 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions while running for another 614 yards and 11 more scores.
The 22-year-old has thus far drawn comparisons to the likes of Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield and Zach Wilson due to his size and playing style. Well, whatever he is, he’ll have to be the answer for head coach Matt Rhule if he is indeed the pick come April.