On Day Two of the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Jets selected Malachi Corley, aka the “YAC King.” To land Corley, the Jets traded up from pick 72 to the first pick of round three 65. They also gave the Carolina Panthers pick 157 apart of the deal. 157 was a pick they got a part of the Minnesota deal from round one.
The reason his nickname is the “YAC King” is because he has 2,068 yards after the catch since 2021, according to ESPN Stats, and he averaged 8.8 yards after the catch per reception last season at Western Kentucky University. His stats in his final season at WKU were 79 receptions, 984 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
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Corley is an explosive player with the ball in his hands, someone the Jets needed. New York lacked in getting yards after the catch last season. The hope is offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett can get the ball in his hands through screens, jet sweeps, and quick passes to let him do his thing.
According to SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes, the Jets had Corley as their fourth wide receiver on the board. They looked to trade up for him in round two, but nothing came to be. They were able to trade up in round three, giving up way less than they would have to still get the guy they wanted.
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He should fill right in for the Jets at the slot and be a dynamic player for them, with Garrett Wilson and Mike Willams lined up next to him. Corley is listed at 5’11, weighing 210 pounds, but he is a physical runner who will run through anyone. His NFL pro comparison is a faster Debo Samuel. If he can play anything like Samuel, this is a homerun for New York. Aaron Rodgers should have a lot of fun with his new weapon.
Grade: A
I am giving this pick an A, and this is exactly the type of player Gang Green needed. Someone who can be dynamic with the ball in their hands. Just a playmaker when he’s running with the ball. He will be an immediate impact player for the Jets. It’s now up to the staff to make sure they utilize him right.
For day three of the NFL draft, now that the Jets have their offensive lineman and wide receiver. They should be looking to gain more depth on both sides of their line. It would be good for them if they could land a quarterback or a running back. Safety is another position they could look to gain more depth in. The Jets walk into day three with three fourth-round picks, a sixth, and a seventh, of course, the famous Mr. Irrelevant pick.
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