With the 2024 NFL Draft coming more into focus as each week passes, our eyes are on the top playmakers in the country. Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley fits that bill. We’re diving into Corley’s scouting report for next year’s NFL Draft.
Malachi Corley Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 211
- School Year: Junior
- School: Western Kentucky
- Age: 22
Corley has blossomed into one of the most feared playmakers in the country despite catching only 37 passes in 15 games during high school. The former two-star recruit led the country in yards after the catch in 2022. He finished his second full season with 101 receptions for 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Corley Scouting Report
Strengths
- He has rare play strength and contact balance that allows him to shed tacklers easily.
- Accelerates to top speed very quickly, creating tough tackling angles for defenders.
- Demonstrates good speed that will allow him to run a full route tree and create separation.
- Evasive playmaker who doesn’t give up until there’s no escape from a situation.
- Fantastic at working through crowded areas on screens and showing great field vision like a running back.
- Strong hands and focus allow him to finish despite incoming contact.
- Does not have to be a gadget player at the next level.
Weaknesses
- Smaller stature may lead to teams pigeonholing him as a slot receiver only.
- His deep speed isn’t explosive enough for him to win on go routes consistently with ease.
- Used in the slot and as more of a rotational player than the star of the offense despite being so productive and dangerous.
- Has not been featured on more advanced routes often, and the overall offense is simplistic. His route running will need time to improve.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
The last time we saw a receiver like Corley enter the NFL was with Deebo Samuel. Like Samuel, Corley has a lower center of gravity and can break tackles at an incredibly unusual rate for the position. And with the NFL embracing more quick passes, the value of someone like Corley rises.
MORE: Conference USA QB Rankings 2023
Corley blends his strength with impressive acceleration to avoid direct hits and erase pursuit angles. Because of this, Western Kentucky has maximized his number of touches from the slot and on screens. Until the 2023 season, Corley was more of an offensive weapon than a pure receiver.
But that has come at a cost to Corley’s development. While Corley has the skill set to be effective in running routes, he lacks the experience to be confident he can play on the outside on Day 1. A team drafting Corley has to love his unique play style and strengths but be patient with the rest of his game.
That could lead to Corley being a late first-round pick or a third-rounder. It’s tough to project where players like Corley will be taken. We have a high second-round grade on Corley.
NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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