Malachi Corley, the Jets' 2024 third-round pick taken 65th overall after a trade-up, was released by the New York Jets. He fell near the bottom of the depth chart during training camp and was passed by several receivers, including rookie free agents. Corley played 53 preseason offensive snaps with one catch for eight yards and returned four kickoffs for 101 yards. As a rookie he appeared in nine games for 83 offensive snaps, totaling three receptions for 16 yards and was a healthy scratch five times. He did not play special teams, limiting his game-day value, and the regime that drafted him was fired last season.
A year ago, the New York Jets wanted Malachi Corley so much that they traded up and selected him with the first pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. On Tuesday, they cut him, a source confirmed to ESPN. Corley, buried near the bottom of the depth chart throughout training camp, becomes the highest-drafted player from 2024 to be released, according to ESPN Research. The regime that picked Corley was fired last season, which certainly didn't help his chances.
There were jobs available in the Jets' receiving corps, but Corley was leapfrogged by a handful of players, including rookie free agents. He played 53 offensive snaps in the preseason, fifth among their receivers, but managed only one catch for eight yards. He also returned four kickoffs for 101 yards. Former general manager Joe Douglas was so smitten with Corley that he traded two draft picks (fifth round and third round) to move up seven spots, taking him 65th overall.
At Western Kentucky, Corley was the self-proclaimed "YAC King" because of his ability to make yards after the catch. In fact, his total from 2021 to 2023 (2,070 yards) led the FBS over that span. After being drafted, he told reporters, "I'm hell to bring down." As a rookie, Corley played only nine games, just 83 snaps on offense, and finished with three receptions for 16 yards.
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