The New York Jets have really struggled to address the wide receiver position through the draft. With the exception of Garrett Wilson, the last time the Jets really hit on a receiver in the draft was in 2001, when the team selected Santana Moss 16th overall (trust me I checked). Jets fans every where are hoping last years second selection, Malachi Corely, is not just the latest entry to the troublesome trend.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that Corely, the player the Jets traded up to select at 65th overall 14 months ago, is now locked in an intense battle to make the teams 53-man.
“Corley, whose only notable moment as a rookie was an embarrassing ball drop/fumble at the goal line that resulted in a touchback (in a prime-time game, no less), faces an intense battle in training camp for a roster spot,” Cimini writes. “The new regime has no allegiance to him, which means there’s no benefit of the doubt.”
He’s right, Corely was brought in by a different coaching staff, catching balls from a different quarterback, and in an offseason being viewed through completely roses tinted lenses. Now he finds himself under a coaching staff fighting to prove they are the right ones for the job, and they need all hands on deck.
To make matters worse, Corely was unable to participate in OTAs, putting him further behind the eight ball.
“He spent the past few weeks, including mandatory minicamp, sitting out with an undisclosed injury,” continued Cimini. “Corley, known as the ‘YAC King’ in college because of how he was able to use power and speed to gain yards after the catch, won’t win any crowns from the sideline.”
Coaching Staff Speaks On Corely Missing Action
It was good cop bad cop in the Jets camp. With new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand delivering a cold response to Corely’s injury troubles.
“He’s going to have to find a way to catch himself up,” he said.
While head coach Aaron Glenn provided a much more optimistic outlook on the 23-year-olds future with the team. One that implies that, at least for now, Corely is going to be a part of what this team is trying to build.
“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,” Glenn said. “Hopefully, he gets well soon, and we get a chance to utilize his skill set.”
It’s safe to say Corely’s future with the team may come down to his availability on July 23rd, the first day of training camp.
“My old coach, Bill Parcells, used to say the first thing you need to be is you need to be available,” receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said. “He’s missed some time, and there’s a learning curve here, so he’s in catch-up mode right now.”
New York Jets Receiver Corp Ranked 28th In NFL
This is a unit that could certainly improve in 2025 under Justin Fields leadership. Last year the passing attack didn’t exactly strike fear into opposing defenses, but the combination of Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams was a fierce one. With Adams out the door, Pro Football Focus isn’t convinced this unit is going to pick up the slack. They ranked them 28th in their analysis of every receiving room in the league.
“Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams were the only Jets receivers to record 64.0-plus PFF receiving grades last season, and Adams is no longer in the fold,” PFF writes. “Running back Breece Hall was great as a receiver in 2023 but took a major step back in 2024. There isn’t much else in the way of proven talent. The Jets don’t seem like they will be a very pass-happy team this season.”
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