If we’re talking strictly quarterbacks, it’s always seemed like a two-horse race for the Carolina Panthers with their sixth overall pick. And those horses, of course, are Liberty University’s Malik Willis and University of Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett.
But is there a . . . dark horse now in that race?
According to NFL insider Peter Schrager, there very well could be. And even despite mocking Pickett to Carolina in his first set of projections this spring, Schrager isn’t counting out University of Mississippi’s Matt Corral.
“The guy I would look for is not Malik Willis and is not necessarily Kenny Pickett,” he said on Tuesday’s edition of Good Morning Football. “I think Matt Corral is really interesting at six overall. He’s laying in the weeds a bit.”
Corral, given his potency both through the air and on the ground, was an early favorite atop the 2022’s quarterback class. The 23-year-old, however, lost a bit of steam after sustaining a leg injury in the 2022 Sugar Bowl.
Although that has forced Corral out of action for a chunk of the offseason, Schrager thinks his body of work is still worth keeping tabs on when the Panthers are on the clock.
“But because of the injury, I think his ability not to work out at the combine and not be able to show off his arm, and all that stuff I think knocked him down a few pegs on mock drafts and whatnot,” he added. “But teams still see tape. I’d be interested to see the Panthers, at No. 6. I know they’re meeting with Pickett, Corral and Willis this week. I would be interested to see, if they go quarterback. Pickett makes sense on paper—I had him going there in the mock draft. But is Matt Corral maybe the wildcard pick at six overall?”
Move over, Malik and Kenny. You may have some company.
