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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection

By Christopher Thomas

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Matt Corral, 2022 NFL mock draft, 2022 NFL Draft
2022 NFL Mock Draft, Ole Miss QB Matt Corral, Washington Football Team. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

13. New Orleans Saints: Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss

The first quarterback comes off the board in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft to the New Orleans Saints. At this point of the season, the offense is a complete mess. Throughout the season New Orleans has suffered injuries to multiple starting offensive players including Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Adam Trautman, Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, and Andrus Peat.

New Orleans has a defense that could potentially land them in the NFC playoffs this season. However, if they continue to tailspin and continue their four-game losing streak New Orleans could take this opportunity to rebuild their offense. This offseason they need to expand their depth at wide receiver and find their quarterback of the future.

In the eight games, Winston started before tearing his ACL it was apparent that he could not be trusted to run this offense past this season. It was clear that Sean Payton and the offensive staff did not trust him. Winston was supposed to be a spark for this offense after Drew Brees’ lackluster final season. He was expected to bring a deep ball and gunslinger element to this offense similar to his last season as a starter in Tampa Bay in 2019-20. Instead, he looked like a shell of the player he was earlier in his career.

Winston averaged a career-low 167.1 passing yards per game. His previous career low was his rookie season when he averaged 252.6 passing yards per game. Among quarterbacks that played more than three games this season, his passing yards average was the third-fewest only ahead of Justin Fields and Jacoby Brissett. His 59% completion percentage was a career-low as well.

There has been a lot of conversation around who could be the first quarterback taken in this year’s class. At this point, it will most likely be Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral. This season Corral has cut down on the interceptions and has shown to be more accurate with his passes. New Orleans is an ideal landing spot for Corral going from Lane Kiffin’s high-powered offense at Ole Miss to being coached by offensive guru Sean Payton. He will have one of if not the best pass-catching running back in Alvin Kamara lining up with him in the backfield on every down as a check option. He could also be throwing passes to Michael Thomas who is notorious for catching everything that comes his way in the middle of the field.

If the Saints decide to retool this offense by drafting Corral it is extremely possible that Sean Payton gets him to a point where he could lead this team to the playoffs and possibly further early in his NFL career.

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