Will Ole Miss QB Matt Corral be a first-round pick?

Image of Matt Corral

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral hasn’t received nearly as much fanfare as his quarterback classmates in the run-up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Liberty’s Malik Willis and Pitt’s Kenny Pickett are the clear favorites to be the first and second quarterbacks off the board, and both are expected to hear their names called in the first round. But Corral is beginning to gain momentum as the days before the NFL Draft dwindle.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Corral is visiting quarterback-needy teams in the NFC South this week. He’ll spend time with the Atlanta Falcons, who own the 8th overall pick, and the New Orleans Saints, who have two selections — No. 16 and 19 — in the first round.

Corral is currently PFD’s QB4. He has a solid Day-2 grade which often results in quarterbacks coming off the board in the first round. The Saints make the most sense at No. 19 overall; it’s the second of their first-round picks and isn’t a ‘premium’ selection for a first-round quarterback. If Corral fails to unseat veteran quarterback Jameis Winston for the job, the long-term harm is much less than if New Orleans drafted him as a top-five pick.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

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