Ole Miss QB Matt Corral grateful for opportunity to be in Vegas for the NFL Draft; Where might he, other Rebels land?

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral did not hear his name called in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft Thursday night. That should change Friday as rounds two and three will be held in Las Vegas. 

Although Corral was understandably disappointed he wasn’t selected in the opening round, the Rebel QB handled it with his typical class, grateful for the experience of being in Las Vegas for the event.

Thank you @NFL for giving me the opportunity to even be here, truly a blessing. Congratulations to everyone who got drafted tonight. You guys deserve every bit of it. Of course I’m disappointed i didn’t hear my name called. Sometimes you just gotta let go and let God!

— M A T T Y (@corral_matt) April 29, 2022

First round full of surprises 

Draft analysts seemed split, going into Thursday night, on whether Corral would go first round or second. As it was, the first round was filled with a number of surprises.

The first five picks were all defensive players. There were also five Georgia defensive players selected in the first round, the most defensive players ever taken from the same school in the first round.

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett was selected with the 20th pick overall. That’s the latest a QB has been selected since 2013. He ended up as the only quarterback taken in the first round. The last time that happened was also 2013.

No running backs were taken in the first round.

Corral, Liberty’s Malik Willis, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder and North Carolina’s Sam Howell are quarterbacks still waiting to be selected.

Where might Matt land?

There has been so much speculation as to where Corral will eventually land. Here are a few possibilities. 

• Could he end up with Tennessee? Although the team has Ryan Tannehill at QB, they could sure use a quality signal-caller such as Corral. The Titans have the 34th (second round), 69th (third round), and 90th (third round) picks tonight.
• We’ve also heard some talk the Houston Texans could be interested in Matt. They have the 37th (second round), 68th (third round), and 80th (third round) picks tonight. 
• Also, keep an eye out on the Detroit Lions with the 46th (second round) and 97th (third round) picks. 
• The Seattle Seahawks have the 40th (second round), 41st (second round), and 72nd (third round) selections. It would be wonderful to see Corral throwing to DK Metcalf.
• The Atlanta Falcons could also be looking to take Corral. They have the 43rd (second round, 58th (second round), 74th (third round), and 82nd (third round) picks.

Ole Miss Rebels in the Draft

Here are other Rebels who could hear their names called in the draft or via free agency.

DE Sam Williams

WR Dontario Drummond

OL Ben Brown

LB Chance Campbell

WR Braylon Sanders

RB Jerrion Ealy

RB Snoop Conner

WR Jahcour Pearson

LB Mark Robinson

CB Deane Leonard

DE Tariqious Tisdale

Punter Mac Brown

Here are the teams (barring any trades that may occur) and their draft order for Round 2 and 3.

Round 2 draft order – Day 2

33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from JAX)

34.  Minnesota Vikings (from DET)

35. Tennessee Titans (from NYJ)

36. New York Giants

37.  Houston Texans

38. New York Jets (from CAR)

39.  Chicago Bears

40.  Seattle Seahawks (from DEN)

41.  Seattle Seahawks

42.  Indianapolis Colts (from WAS)

43.  Atlanta Falcons

44.  Cleveland Browns

45.  Baltimore Ravens

46.  Detroit Lions (from MIN)

47.  Washington Commanders (from IND)

48.  Chicago Bears (from LAC)

49.  New Orleans Saints

50.  Kansas City Chiefs (from MIA)

51.  Philadelphia Eagles

52.  Pittsburgh Steelers

53.  Green Bay Packers (from LV)

54.  New England Patriots

55.  Arizona Cardinals

56.  Dallas Cowboys

57.  Buffalo Bills

58.  Atlanta Falcons (from TEN)

59.  Green Bay Packers

60.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

61.   San Francisco 49ers

62.  Kansas City Chiefs

63.  Cincinnati Bengals

64.  Denver Broncos (from LAR)

Round 3 draft order – Day 2

65.  Jacksonville Jaguars

66.  Minnesota Vikings (from DET)

67.  New York Giants

68.  Houston Texans

69.  Tennessee Titans (from NYJ)

70.  Jacksonville Jaguars (from CAR)

71.  Chicago Bears

72.  Seattle Seahawks

73.  Indianapolis Colts (from WAS)

74.  Atlanta Falcons

75.  Denver Broncos

76.  Baltimore Ravens

77.  Minnesota Vikings

78.  Cleveland Browns

79.  Los Angeles Chargers

80.  Houston Texans (from NO)

81.  New York Giants (from MIA)

82.  Atlanta Falcons (from IND)

83.  Philadelphia Eagles

84.  Pittsburgh Steelers

85.  New England Patriots

86.  Las Vegas Raiders

87.  Arizona Cardinals

88.  Dallas Cowboys

89.  Buffalo Bills

90.  Tennessee Titans

91.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

92.  Green Bay Packers

93.  San Francisco 49ers

94.  New England Patriots (from KC)

95.  Cincinnati Bengals

96.  Denver Broncos (from LAR)

97.  Detroit Lions

98.  Washington Commanders (from NO)

99.  Cleveland Browns

100. Arizona Cardinals (from BAL)

101. New York Jets (from PHI via NO)

102. Miami Dolphins (from SF)

103. Kansas City Chiefs

104. Los Angeles Rams

105. San Francisco 49ers

Best of luck to all our Rebels!

Evelyn Van Pelt

Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.