4 Carolina Panthers players who could win individual awards in 2022

Matt Corral – Carolina Panthers QB

• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

This will obviously depend on whether Matt Corral can beat out Sam Darnold for the starting job in training camp. But if the quarterback manages to do this or comes into the starting lineup early in the campaign, then winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is well within his capabilities.

Obviously, there will be many ahead of him given how exceptional this class of wide receivers is expected to be once again. However, if Corral adjusts quickly to Ben McAdoo’s scheme and demonstrates enough for the coaching staff to become more confident in his ability as a starter, then he might have an outside chance.

This is going to be a small step process for Corral. Something that most are expecting after the Carolina Panthers traded up to select the former Ole Miss standout at No. 94 overall.

Getting better every day, learning from McAdoo and Sean Ryan, developing chemistry with his teammates, and adapting to pro-style concepts, will all be greater reflections on his rookie development than any award.

And who knows, this might be the franchise quarterback Carolina has been looking for since the current regime decided to release Cam Newton in favor of moving forward with Teddy Bridgewater in 2020.

Of all the names on this list, Corral appears the least likely. But stranger things have happened in the NFL and this scenario only improves if he is Carolina’s top option in Week 1.