JetNation Prospect Profile: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley

If the New York Jets are hoping to get their stagnant offense off the ground via the NFL draft, they would do well to strongly consider Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley.  One of the top yards after catch receivers in this class, Corley would pair well with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Here’s what we found in watching Corley in action on the All 22.

Height: 5105

Weight: 215

Hand Size: 900

Arm Size: 3078

Wingspan: 7548

Hometown: Campbellsville, KY

High School: Campbellsville HS

Recruit: ★★ #303 CB, #32 KY

Film Study: 81.5/100 (2nd Round Pick)

Games Watched: Ohio State (2023), 2024 Senior Bowl

• Route Running: 8.0

Smooth on out breaking routes, mostly manufactured touches (flat, rounded outs, screens)

• Hands: 8.0

Makes catches outside of frame, 1 drop vs OSU

• Release: 8.0

Rarely pressed due to heavy slot usage, but quick release and showed he can beat press at the Senior Bowl.

Malchi Corley's ability to gain yards after the catch comes from more than just being able to make defenders miss.

Shows a powerful lower half and is able to take on contact, shed tacklers and make big plays. pic.twitter.com/7DQS1xQ4k5

— Glenn Naughton (@JetsPicks) February 21, 2024

• Separation/Quickness: 8.0

Very good quickness, not a ton of separation but he can win on in breaking or out breaking routes

• Ball Skills: 8.5

Manufactured touches, natural with the ball in his hand, good tracking ability

• Speed: 8.5

Very good YAC ability on “now”/bubble screens

• Size: 

Sub 6-foot, but built like a running back

• Run Blocking: 7.5

Not an optimal option for run blocking, but willing to block

• Versatility: 8.0

Slot, perimeter, backfield motion player

• Football IQ: 9.0

Notes:

• 2024 Senior Bowl attendee

Summary:

Malachi Corley is one of the biggest risers coming out of the Senior Bowl in Mobile. He showed that he can develop into a complete receiver versus being a manufactured touch player. His versatility will be coveted by several teams in the league, but Corley is a polarizing player amongst pundits.  Some say he is the closest thing in this class to Deebo Samuel, which is a comparison that is a bit steep for some, but you can see similarities in their game.

Although the Jets do not currently own a second round selection, there is the possibility that Joe Douglas trades down from 10th overall to recoup picks that were traded for Aaron Rodgers. If that were to happen, and the Jets gain another top-50 pick, Malachi Corley would be a great fit for New York. In the event that Corley were available in the 3rd round, the value is too good to pass up.

Dylan Tereman

I was born and raised in New Jersey, just recently moving to Spartanburg, SC. I am 23 and have been a Jets fan since I was 6. Through all the peaks and valleys, I am proud to be a fan of the Green & White and I’m excited to contribute to JetNation in anyway I can.

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