CHARLOTTE — The Panthers walked into the 2022 NFL Draft with two big needs, but only one pick in the first two days.
They still managed to cross both items off the list.
A day after taking left tackle Ikem Ekwonu with the sixth overall pick, the Panthers made a move Friday night to acquire a quarterback who will be here for more than one season.
The Panthers traded with New England to move up to the 94th overall pick, and chose quarterback Matt Corral from Ole Miss.
It was a bold move, as general manager Scott Fitterer wasn't casually giving away future assets. But they were able to send a third-round pick next year and their 137th overall pick this year to get a quarterback.
The 23-year-old Corral will be under contract for the next four seasons, and that allows for an eye to the future. The only quarterbacks on the roster prior to this weekend were Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker and both are in the final year of their current contracts.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Corral led Ole Miss to the Sugar Bowl last season, but suffered a high ankle sprain in that game that kept him from working out at the Combine.
He completed 67.9 percent of his passes last year for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns. He threw 14 picks as a sophomore (including six in one game against Arkansas), but only five interceptions last year. He also ran for 11 touchdowns, showing the ability to move in and out of the pocket.
He has the quickest release of any of the passers in this year's class, and that ability to get the ball out quickly would serve him well in new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's system.
He also showed a flair for leading people, and said he felt at home when the team held "Get Real Wednesdays," in which players were encouraged to talk about off-field issues.
"I just know what separates me is my leadership," Corral said at the Scouting Combine. "Obviously my physical ability, my arm talent, but me having an understanding of Xs and Os and understanding protections. I think that's what separates me.
"But what really separates me is my ability to lead a team. I understand what it means to be vulnerable around people who don't necessarily want to be vulnerable. I was one of those guys who didn't want to talk about emotions, that's just how I was. I never talked. If I was crying, it was 'Stop crying.' I was raised with two older brothers, and it was like 'toughen up.'
"There's a lot of players on my team who weren't necessarily comfortable talking about their issues. And them seeing me be vulnerable made them feel more comfortable. And having that understanding of what I want to get out of this and what they want to get out of this and being on the same page, that's a huge thing. And taking care of the life stuff, when that's taken care of, I think football takes care of itself. That's what we saw in '21. We weren't the best team, we weren't the most talented team, but we played the best together. That's a big part of it."
View photos of Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, drafted by Carolina in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
FILE - Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. The Southeastern Conference's most prolific offense clashes with one of the better defenses in the Big 12 when No. 8 Mississippi meets sixth-ranked Baylor in the Sugar Bowl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) throws to the side against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) is corralled by Mississippi State linebacker Nathaniel Watson (14) during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi won 31-21. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) prepares to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) participates in warmups before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral howls following an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Carolina Panthers football coach Matt Rhule, center, watches quarterback Matt Corral pass during a football drill at the Mississippi Pro Day in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) releases a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) celebrates his second-half, 4-yard touchdown run with wide receiver Braylon Sanders (13) during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi won 31-21. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. No. 10 Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Quarterback Matt Corral passes during a football drill at the Mississippi Pro Day in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby talks to quarterback Matt Corral before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to pass after avoiding Vanderbilt defensive lineman Christian James (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) releases a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to pass after avoiding Vanderbilt defensive lineman Christian James (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) runs past a block by running back Snoop Conner (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 29-19. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Quarterback Matt Corral runs a drill during Mississippi Pro Day in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) scrambles away from pressure by Auburn defensive end Eku Leota (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral throws a pass as Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Quarterback Matt Corral passes during a drill at the Mississippi football pro day in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) sets up to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 29-19. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) takes a snap as he steps back to pass while Liberty defensive tackle Henry Chibueze (50) pressures his line during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Mississippi won 27-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Liberty during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Mississippi won 27-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral throws a pass against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Liberty during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) rolls out to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) warms up during pregame drills before an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) escapes a tackle attempt by Liberty defensive tackle Henry Chibueze (50) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Mississippi won 27-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) warms up passing during pregame drills before an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) is pressured by Auburn defensive end Derick Hall (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) attempts to run up field as Arkansas defensive back Joe Foucha (7) closes in for a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 52-51. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 52-51. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) runs for yardage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) celebrates his team's 61-21 win over Tulane during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville, Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) plays against Austin Peay in an NCAA college football game, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Mississippi won 54-17. (AP Photo/Bruce Newman)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) is shown in action during an NCAA college football game against Louisville Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) is shown in action during an NCAA college football game against Louisville Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
