After a productive collegiate career, New York Jets rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley has the potential to be a value pick for fantasy managers.
But just how much impact can a third-round pick have on a team that appears to be full of offensive weapons? Here’s a look at the fantasy outlook for this season for Malachi Corley.
Malachi Corley’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Corley enters the NFL off a highly successful career at Western Kentucky. In four seasons with the Hilltoppers, Corley caught over 250 passes (school-record 259 receptions), had over 3,000 receiving yards (3,035) and scored almost 30 touchdowns (29).
Over his last two seasons at Western Kentucky, Corley caught a combined 180 passes for 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns (11 TDs each season). Not surprisingly, Corley was a first-team All-Conference USA selection each of the last two seasons.
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Corley also proved he could be productive on the biggest stage. Last season against Ohio State, Corley finished with eight catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, and in 2022 vs. Auburn, Corley caught a career-high 12 passes for 99 yards.
He also had solid performances against Big Ten opponents Indiana (2022 – 8 catches, 77 yards) and Michigan State (2021 – 7 catches, 69 yards).
While Corley is joining a Jets’ offense that struggled last season, now they have Aaron Rodgers back at quarterback. In addition, the Jets’ offensive arsenal features one of the elite running backs in fantasy — Breece Hall — and one of the best fantasy wide receivers in Garrett Wilson.
Is Corley a Good Fantasy Pick?
Corley is the No. 70 wide receiver in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 26.
Because of his size (5’11”, 215), Corley has drawn comparisons to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (6’0″, 215). Given his size and production in college, it may be a good comparison down the road for Corley.
For the moment, there is still the unknown factor surrounding the rookie third-round pick. Corley did not show much in the preseason—seven receptions, 42 yards, 6.0 yards per reception—but he also wasn’t taking passes from Rodgers.
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For an offense that was stagnant for much of last season, the Jets feature exceptional talent at the skill positions, led by Hall and Wilson. But it will take a lot more pieces for this team to be explosive on offense, and that is where a player like Corley could very well fit in.
Rodgers figures to spread the ball around all over the field, giving Corley ample opportunity to be productive as a rookie. If the future Hall of Fame quarterback is healthy, it figures that everyone on offense will benefit. That includes Corley.
Keep in mind that the Jets’ other projected starter at wide receiver, veteran Mike Williams, is not ranked much higher (No. 58) in fantasy rankings than Corley, so that should be a signal to fantasy managers that Corley could be a value pick in later rounds.