And woe unto you, Malachi Corley, the New York Jets’ promising wide receiver, if you ever fumble under pressure. He needs to play to his potential after being selected 1st overall in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. The Jets moved up seven spots to draft Corley, but he was a massive disappointment for all of his rookie season. Corley has only played in nine games and saw minimal offensive snaps. His pre-season performance has thus far raised concerns, as he continues to fight to secure a place on the 53-man roster.
Corley’s true freshman campaign was a disappointment overall, as he made no impact, ending the year with only three catches for 16 yards. An alarming scene played out on his very first NFL touch. He threw the ball in midair just before crossing the goal line, which would’ve given the Jets a touchdown. He caught even more breaks when he fumbled at the goal line. This gaffe led to a touchback and even further dampened his lackluster production.
Missing all this spring due to injury put a damper on Corley’s development. He sat out all of practice during that stretch, which included mandatory minicamp. This lack of participation has led to worries about his preparedness as the upcoming season approaches. Coach Aaron Glenn recognized these difficulties but said there’s a methodical process in place to help Corley make the most of his abilities.
“There’s a plan for him, and we’re going to make sure that we try to utilize him to what he can do best, and we’ve seen that in college. Hopefully, he gets well soon, and we get a chance to utilize his skill set,” – Aaron Glenn
NFL teams typically carry five or six wideouts on their active roster. This places Corley into a highly competitive landscape as he races for one of those few desirable slots. He was a healthy scratch in five games last year. That’s what makes his quest of claiming a spot on the team all the more difficult. Along with Corley, undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett has stood out as a candidate to compete. Pritchett took the fight to Corley this past spring, turning up the heat on the returning starter to raise his level of play.
These obstacles aside, Corley is adamant about making things better. He talked about wanting to learn from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers so much that he’d be willing to live in his house. It is this desire to learn and improve that shows how dedicated Corley is to honing his craft and overall football IQ.
“Here’s what I remember from Corley: His ability to get the ball in his hands and make something happen,” – Aaron Glenn
She was often just an average returner, and prior coaching staffs said Corley’s route-running was imprecise. He’ll need to overcome this deficiency as he attempts to establish a bigger presence in the Jets offense. This advancement will be key to his success. Corley was known as the “YAC King” (Yards After Catch) throughout his time in college. He’s a threat to score any time he touches the ball, now he’s got to bring that same explosiveness to the NFL.
As the preseason approaches, opportunities may arise for Corley to showcase his skills. He can be used in return roles, giving him even more opportunities to distinguish himself and get on the field.
“He’s going to have to find a way to catch himself up,” – Tanner Engstrand
Corley’s future with the Jets lies solely on his ability to learn from his previous errors. He would have to adjust, and adjust fast, to fit the needs of the NFL. His performances in training camp and preseason games will be critical as he vies for a place among the team’s receiving corps.
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