For some, Saturday, August 16, is just the second week of preseason football. For others, their livelihood could depend on it.
NFL Media Group’s Eric Edholm put a couple of New York Jets pass catchers on notice ahead of their scheduled matchup with the New York Giants.
“The annual crosstown matchup could be a big game for 2024 third-round WR Malachi Corley. After his one-catch performance against the Packers, Corley could use a big outing. It hasn’t been the smoothest summer for him in pursuit of a roster spot, with drops and fumbles reported in camp. He’s also exclusively been running with the reserves in practice and in the preseason opener. Corley was drafted by a different regime, but it’s never good seeing Day 2 pick on the bubble in Year 2. Xavier Gipson is another young receiver with a cloudy future who’s in need of a standout showing,” Edholm revealed.
Gipson Set to Make Preseason Debut for Jets
Gipson, 24, entered the league as an undrafted free agent during the 2023 offseason.
In the first game of his NFL career, he delivered a Jets win on a walkoff punt return touchdown in overtime versus the Buffalo Bills.
However, it has been very uneven since.
He missed last week’s preseason opener versus the Packers due to a shoulder issue. Jets senior reporter Eric Allen revealed that Gipson “is expected to make his preseason debut” on Saturday, August 16.
The former Stephen F. Austin product better make an impact soon because he is running out of time.
South Alabama undrafted free agent Jamaal Pritchett is breathing down his neck for the same roster spot. Pritchett is the hot new thing, being a 2025 UDFA versus Gipson, who entered the league that way back in 2023.
Corley Needs to Make Plays to Rise on Depth Chart
The Jets have opportunity in the wide receiver room.
If a pass catcher wants to take advantage, they can. However, Corley hasn’t been able to for a variety of reasons.
He was hurt throughout the spring, and now he is playing catch-up with the playbook.
“He’s catching up to everything that we’re doing, and he’s part of the rotation,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said on Wednesday via Nick Faria. “So, every day, he’s working his [expletive] off to earn a job, like everybody else.”
Corley was invisible versus the Packers. He needs to make noise against the Giants or else he might not be around for long.
Insider Shares Brutal Honesty on Job Security
Following the Jets-Packers preseason game, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed an updated 53-man roster prediction.
Rosenblatt had six wide receivers, making it. However, that group did not include Corley or Gipson.
“The Jets have had Corley exclusively running with the backups on offense, likely in an attempt to motivate him to earn his standing with a new coaching staff — so far, it hasn’t worked. Corley has struggled in camp (drops, fumbles, and a lack of notable plays made), and the preseason might be his best shot at proving he deserves to stick. It would be a tough look cutting a recent third-round pick, but he wasn’t Darren Mougey’s third-round pick. Corley had one catch for eight yards on Saturday,” Rosenblatt said.
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