NFL Draft: Jets move up to pick WR Malachi Corley of Western Kentucky to open third round
Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) breaks a tackle by Middle Tennessee State linebacker Parker Hughes (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Bowling Green, Ky. Credit: AP/Joe Imel
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers’ newest weapon goes by the nickname The YAC King.
The Jets traded up on Day 2 of the draft to select explosive Western Kentucky receiver Malachi Corley with the first pick of the third round.
Corley, who is known for his ability to break tackles and get yards after the catch, caught 259 passes for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns in four years at Western Kentucky. As a junior, he amassed 975 yards after the catch with 40 missed tackles.
“We’re juiced, man,” general manager Joe Douglas said. “Malachi is a guy that you watch his tape and it’s hard not to get excited. Just an explosive, dynamic player with the ball in his hands. Just a guy that we feel can be a real weapon.”
Douglas tried to trade into the second round for a receiver but was rebuffed. After four went in the second, Douglas jumped up from 72 to 65 to grab Corley. The Jets sent the Carolina Panthers picks 72 and 157 of the fifth round.
Corley joins an improved receiver room that features Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, whom the Jets signed in free agency. Robert Saleh called Corley “an angry runner” and said he brings “an element that we don’t have to our team.”
Saleh said he received a text from Rodgers after the Jets took Corley.
“He’s excited,” Saleh said.
The 5-11 Corley has been compared to 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel because of his running style and his versatility to line up everywhere, including the backfield. Corley said his biggest asset is being the YAC King.
“That’s my calling card and I think I do it better than anyone else,” Corley said. “I think when I get the ball in my hands, I can make special plays happen.”
It was the second straight day the Jets made a trade. They moved down from 10 to 11 and selected offensive lineman Olu Fashanu in the first round on Thursday. They got a fourth- and fifth-round pick back from Minnesota in that trade and used the fifth to jump up to take Corley.
The Jets will have a busy Day 3. They currently own five picks on Saturday — three in the fourth round (No. 111, 129 and 134), one in the sixth (185), and the final pick of the draft (No. 257), better known as Mr. Irrelevant.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
