We are approaching the dawn of NFL Training Camps beginning. The first mark for a new season in the league. Many teams are elated to get back on the field in their quest for a Lombardi trophy in February. The New York Jets are no exception. With a newsworthy off-season left and right, Robert Saleh is ready to push his team to the next level. To get there, they will need this Jets rookie to step up to give them that extra weapon to compete. Here’s why 2024 third-round pick Malachi Corley will be an excellent young weapon in this offense.
This Jets Rookie Is Ready for the New York Spotlight
Robert Saleh’s tenure has had its ups and downs. However, it’s impossible to overstate the impact he’s had on this defense. Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams, Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, and more have combined to form a formidable unit together. The additions of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall gave them two vital building blocks to build a great offense. Aaron Rodgers will be a big help, but fans should be weary of his performance returning from such an injury at his age. You will not be seeing MVP levels from Rodgers on the field. The 40-year-old will need more help than people realize. Fortunately for him, Joe Douglas added significant pieces to help this offense. Especially in the draft.
Malachi Corley’s college career
Before being selected in the draft, Malachi Corley was wowing fans at Western Kentucky. He wowed college scouts with his abilities to play both cornerback and running back in addition to wide receiver. The former Hilltopper was a force on the field for three seasons after committing to wide receiver full-time. What Corley lacks in prototypical size, he made up for in speed and elusiveness. His ability to create in the open field had been a huge help for both Bailey Zappe and Austin Reed’s tenures at quarterback. Corley played in 40 games at Western Kentucky, with the Hilltoppers finishing with a record of 26-14 in that span.
Through his three seasons as a starter, Corley amassed nearly 3,000 total receiving yards with a staggering 29 touchdowns. Upon examining the film, it’s easy to see why so many have compared him to Deebo Samuel. Whilst standing 5’11” and weighing 200lbs, Corley’s built like a running back, but it hasn’t hindered his athleticism one bit. The time he spent at cornerback and running back honed his field vision to be alert to nearby defenders, aiding in his elusiveness.
How Malachi Corley will help New York
The lights have never been brighter for Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas. Amid year five of his tenure, Joe Douglas has put on paper one of the strongest rosters the Jets have had in decades. Their already imposing defense added a future hall of famer in Haason Reddick. Stability in the quarterback room with Rodgers and Taylor. Of utmost importance, they completely revitalized the offensive line as well. But the wide receiver room will be the crux of this offensive renaissance they so desire. Transcendent Garrett Wilson will surely lock in another 1,000-yard season in his career, perhaps more with Rodgers back. A stable veteran like Mike Williams will be an excellent downfield threat.
However, the short routes and middle of the field need to be taken advantage of. Having someone of Malachi Corley’s speed is the perfect safety net for an aging Rodgers. When pressured, he won’t have to force throws to Wilson like he did constantly to Davante Adams when it was ill-advised. Rodgers can trust that the speedy Corley can use his elusiveness to turn a check down into a 7-8 yard gain constantly.
Former two-time All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. dubbed Malachi Corley “the YAC King“. Such a title dubbed for a young receiver is a heavy title to live up to. However, Malachi Corley welcomes that challenge instead of running from it. Armed with a drive to succeed and paired in a talented offense, Malachi Corley is ready to show the fans at Metlife why Joe Douglas got a steal on such a talented prospect.
Main Photo: [Jim Dedmon] – USA Today Sports
