Why Philadelphia Eagles should eye Matt Corral if Jalen Hurts struggles
By Hunter Doyle
Could the Philadelphia Eagles target Matt Corral If Jalen Hurts isn’t the guy?
Let’s pump the brakes. Jalen Hurts is still the starting quarterback. He has a long 2021 campaign ahead of him. The staff here at ITI is not giving up on him prematurely. We’re also not ruling out the possibility of a DeShaun Watson trade. Instead, we are doing our homework on 2022 NFL Draft Prospects for Philadelphia Eagles fans. We’re continuing this year’s prospect profiles with Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral.
The fact of the matter is that Jalen Hurts is largely an unknown right now. For all we know, he could have an MVP caliber season or he could have a Drew Lock-esque year. The potential and intangibles are both present. At the same time, the accuracy and processing need to improve in 2021.
Every NFL player has a ceiling. There is no guarantee that Hurts is here beyond this season. In the event that the Eagles do not move forward with him, the NFL Draft is one place they could look for their next quarterback. It might be premature to move on after year two depending upon the circumstances but the front office might not be willing to be patient.
All eyes will be on Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler this college football season but every year there is a Joe Burrow or Zach Wilson: a quarterback who bursts onto the scene with an electric season and finds their way to the top of draft boards. While there are plenty of candidates, Corral might fit the script. In fact, Daniel Jeremiah agrees.
The kid from California enters his second season as the full-time starter. In his 2019 season, he appeared in ten games in started in four. Last year, he made PFF‘s All-SEC third team and Phil Steele‘s All-SEC fourth team as a redshirt sophomore. Starting all ten games for the Rebels, Corral posted a 70.9 percent completion rate, 3,337 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions through the air. He added 506 yards (4.5 per carry) and four touchdowns on the ground.
Now, Corral will look to build upon that in what could be his final collegiate season if he chooses to enter the NFL Draft. He will have to impress scouts despite losing key weapons Elijah Moore and Kenny Yeboah to the NFL. This is a signal-caller that this Ole Miss team has faith in.
From head coach Lane Kiffin to the rest of the coaching staff to Corral’s teammates, you get the sense that there is a lot of belief in the 22-year-old. That belief is justified in his tape. Here are three reasons why the Philadelphia Eagles should give him a look if they’re still concerned about Jalen Hurts at the season’s end.