2022 NFL Draft: Will former Long Beach Poly quarterback Matt Corral go in the first round?
(Lead photo: © Chuck Cook | January 1, 2022)
The 2022 NFL Draft starts on Thursday in Las Vegas and a handful of prospects from California are projected to be taken over the three-day, seven-round draft. Ahead of Thursday, we're keying in on the likely first round picks from the Golden State. We began with Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and then moved to USC wide receiver Drake London and Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie. Now it's time to focus on Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, a Long Beach Poly graduate.
Matt Corral
Quarterback 6-2, 212, Long Beach Poly High School
The skinny: Corral was a human highlight machine in his redshirt junior year at Ole Miss last season. He completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,339 yards and 20 touchdowns, with just four interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 597 yards with 11 TD's. The two knocks against Corral are his lack of size and the fact that Ole Miss plays an RPO style offense that isn't run as much in the pro's.
What The Ringer's Danny Kelly says: "Dynamic, quick-processing quarterback with a live arm and wheels in the run game."
Kelly's player comparisons: A smaller Marcus Mariota
Where will Corral get picked?
We see it every year. Mock drafts have quarterbacks going in the second and third rounds that then end up getting taken in the first round on draft night. That could be the case with Corral this year. Most mocks have the Ole Miss gunslinger outside of the first, but don't be surprised if a QB needy team takes him late on Thursday to secure a fifth year option on his rookie deal. The Detroit Lions do have the 32nd pick overall...
