Despite not throwing at the 2022 NFL Combine, Matt Corral is one of the busiest quarterbacks in Indianapolis this week. Pro Football Network reported that the Mississippi signal-caller was one of a group of passers that met with the Denver Broncos earlier this week. We now know that another quarterback-needy team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, met with the combative gunslinger with a view to placing their franchise on his shoulders.
Matt Corral officially meets with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL Combine
“I spoke to them my first day here,” Corral told the assembled media as the 2022 NFL Combine got into full swing on Wednesday. “Definitely a great group of guys, and I’d love to be a part of that organization for sure.”
Following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are a team primed to strike for a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite assertions they have faith in Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins to fight for the QB1 spot over the summer, the franchise is a popular landing spot for the draft’s top quarterback prospects.
Corral certainly falls into that bracket. While he started the season ranked behind Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler in the race to be the top quarterback in the class, he was often considered the quarterback to make a Zach Wilson or Joe Burrow-esque leap into early-first-round conversation.
The Mississippi quarterback did just that. Although he battled injury this year, he showcased some development in terms of poise and ability to read the field. In the season opener against Louisville, he showcased his exceptional arm talent with a bullet to the sideline. Throughout the year, he demonstrated the gritty mobility out of structure that showcased his ability to extend plays and lead a team.
Could Corral follow in Big Ben’s footsteps?
Due to injury, Corral wasn’t able to end his Ole Miss career in quite the style he would have liked. Furthermore, as he battles to regain full fitness, he won’t throw at the Combine.
As we discussed in the latest episode of the PFN premier NFL Draft podcast, that is unlikely to impact his stock. He’ll take part in the Ole Miss Pro Day, currently scheduled for March 23.
Throwing at the Ole Miss Pro Day will give Corral the opportunity to demonstrate his arm talent in a comfortable environment. Just being in Indianapolis to discuss his understanding of the game and demonstrate the type of leader he is off the field will help solidify and potentially elevate his stock. During his media availability, he went to great lengths to explain that it was important to him due to the scheme at Ole Miss.
Following his meeting with the Steelers, could Corral be the heir apparent to Roethlisberger? With over 64,000 passing yards, 418 touchdowns, and two Super Bowl rings, they’re big shoes to fill. They’re shoes that, given the opportunity, Corral seems excited to fill.
“Who wouldn’t want to step in after a Hall of Fame quarterback? It’s definitely a blessing to be considered by a team after having a quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger.”