Patriots Acquire Ex-Panthers Quarterback Matt Corral

The New England Patriots have signed former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral as an undrafted free agent. Corral is known for his mobility, quick release, and ability to throw from different arm angles. He will join the Patriots as they head into the season with just two running backs on the roster.

The New England Patriots had the opportunity to evaluate Matt Corral last summer when they participated in joint practices with the Carolina Panthers in Foxborough. Unfortunately, during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium, Corral suffered a Lisfranc injury that ended his season prematurely. As a result, he has yet to make his NFL debut.

Corral, who stands at 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 220 pounds, was the starting quarterback at Ole Miss for two seasons. In his redshirt junior year, he showcased his skills by throwing for 3,349 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 614 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

One of Corral's notable attributes is his mobility and ability to throw accurately while on the move. His quick release also adds to his potential as a quarterback. These qualities made him an intriguing prospect for Day 2 of the draft. During the scouting combine, Corral even mentioned that he models his game after Aaron Rodgers, particularly admiring Rodgers' ability to make throws from various arm angles.

Ultimately, the Panthers selected Corral with the 94th overall pick, acquired from the Patriots in exchange for the 137th overall pick and a 2023 third-rounder. New England used those picks to select Zappe and Mapu.

Scott Fitterer, the Panthers' general manager, expressed his satisfaction with acquiring Corral in the third round, praising his physical traits as well as his competitiveness and toughness. Corral's resilience and ability to bounce back after taking hits were particularly impressive.

Prior to the draft, Corral opened up about his battle with depression, and there were reports suggesting he had dealt with alcohol-related issues. However, the Panthers and their then-coach, Matt Rhule, expressed confidence in Corral's character and believed in his potential.

Meanwhile, running back Ezekiel Elliott is feeling prepared for Week 1. Since joining the Patriots, he has gradually become more comfortable with the team's offensive system. Given that the Patriots only have two running backs on their roster, Elliott will play a significant role. Although Rhamondre Stevenson will handle the workload on early downs, Elliott, at 28 years old, is expected to contribute primarily in goal-line situations. He has a strong track record of scoring touchdowns from inside the 5-yard line, with seven of his 12 touchdowns last year coming from that range. Additionally, Elliott's skills in blitz pickup make him a valuable asset on third downs.

While Elliott acknowledges that he still has more to learn, he is embracing the challenge of training camp. The extensive playbook can be overwhelming, but as the team transitions to focusing on specific game plans, the information becomes more manageable. Elliott's goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible during this period.