Things didn’t go quite as well as New York Jets WR Malachi Corley hoped for his rookie year with Aaron Rodgers under center.
After a change at head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback this offseason, is Corley being overlooked as a potential breakout candidate ahead of his second season in the NFL?
Jets WR Malachi Corley Flying Under the Radar Entering 2025
Malachi Corley is flying under the radar entering the 2025 NFL season. The main reason why Jets fans aren’t expecting much from the Western Kentucky product is because Corley didn’t produce much of anything in 2024 with just three receptions for 16 yards his rookie year.
The Jets relied heavily Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard throughout the year, but what truly sealed Corley’s fate was the addition of veteran WR Davante Adams ahead of the NFL trade deadline, who played All-Pro caliber football with Aaron Rodgers during their lengthy tenure together back in Green Bay.
To rub salt on the wound, receiver Xavier Gipson (who had a similar skill set to Corley) earned many of the snaps Corley like could have seen throughout the majority of the 2024 season.
The Case for a Corley Breakout Season in Year Two
The coaching regime change brings both positives and negatives for Corley entering his second season.
On one hand, a new coaching staff gives the talented receiver a chance for a fresh start in a brand new offensive scheme to earn his way onto the football field in a wide open receiver room behind Wilson.
On the other hand, this new coaching staff didn’t invest top draft capital in him and Corley will have to learn a new playbook very quickly or be in danger of being left behind by other players vying for a roster spot.
John Molnar of Yahoo Sports still believes Corley can contribute to the Jets’ passing attack in 2025.
Molnar wrote, “Corley was a big play machine who was always there for Western Kentucky to get into the end zone. He has a specific play style that none of the other Jets playmakers possess, which could be evident this upcoming season.”
Corley was an exceptional big-play producer during his college days and was regularly utilized as an underneath YAC threat with his exceptional contact balance and twitchiness as a ball carrier.
Molnar added, “The Detroit Lionsâ offense last season was elite, with players bouncing around left and right, performing at high levels in different positions. And while the Jetsâ offense may not be as versatile, Corley is the perfect chess piece for new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, the former Lions passing game coordinator.”
Corley’s quickest avenue to playing time will be to become a quick-game savant for new quarterback Justin Fields. If he can manage to be the preferred check-down option in this new offense, then Corley’s role could be valuable in a complementary role to Wilson.
Molnar concluded, “As a receiver, the screen game should be Corleyâs best friend. He is great with the ball in his hands, so allowing him more opportunities to create yards after the catch will be beneficial.”
Corley may have been a bit of a disappointment his rookie year, but he still has a chance to emerge as a dynamic YAC weapon for the Jets in 2025.
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