With reports swirling Friday night that the Carolina Panthers could trade for disgruntled Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, general manager Scott Fitterer shut out all the noise when he traded into the third round for Ole Miss’ Matt Corral.
Corral being on the board late was shocking to fans, but not to everybody who knew what was going on with him.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport had some strong words about former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral after the Carolina Panthers picked Corral in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Friday.
Rapoport said the Panthers viewed Corral as the quarterback in this class with the best college tape, but his slide to the back of the third round might have been caused by off-the-field issues.
“He dealt with a multitude of issues including alcohol and related issues,” Rapoport said on NFL Network’s broadcast. “He admitted publicly to battling depression. He has had ‘unreliable behavior’ off the field and he really, really struggled in some interviews with teams.
“That said, the talent is enough to make the Carolina Panthers take its shot with Corral.”
The 23-year-old finished his four years at Ole Miss with a 67.3% completion percentage. He had 57 touchdown passes to 23 interceptions. He also rushed for 614 yards this past season.
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Corral is happy he landed in Carolina, and even said there was some comfort found during his visit there.
“I was a fan of coach McAdoo when I finally got to meet him and spend time with him when we were eating lunch,” Corral said, via the Panthers’ official website. “I’m excited to get back to Carolina and start to work. Really, because I was nervous at first, and he noticed that, and called me out on it. Then there was a comfort there. Him understanding I was already nervous and calling me out on it was kind of comforting. He knew it.
“I felt like it was a place I’d end up for sure.”
