Jets trade idea would send former third-round pick packing very soon

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NY Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley
NY Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley | John Jones-Imagn Images

The New York Jets are still digging out from the wreckage that former GM Joe Douglas left in their wake, as Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey need to figure out the best way to build a supporting cast of characters that can help whomever is under center thrive in a way that Aaron Rodgers could not.

Trading up to use a third-round pick on Western Kentucky receiver Malachi Corley is proving to be one of the worst Day 2 picks in Jets history. Not only did he catch only three passes as a rookie while famously throwing the ball away right before what would have been his first pro touchdown, but he hasn't impressed the new staff.

Corley has struggled in the preseason, and Jets fans will need to look hard to find someone who believes he has a shot of making the 53-man roster. The Jets might be able to turn this situation into a slight positive by finding a trade partner.

The Philadelphia Eagles brought in Douglas as an assistant executive, and his past love for Corley could convince a front office with more draft picks than they need to flip the Jets a seventh-round dart throw to secure the store-brand Deebo Samuel before he hits the open market.

NY Jets could trade Malachi Corley to Eagles before 2025 season

Douglas reportedly had Corley ranked as a superior prospect when compared to names like Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey. Even after his rough start to life in the pros, is there a possibility that Douglas believes he has the secret ingredient needed to fix things?

The Jets appear set to go into the year with Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds as the starting wideouts, with free agent signing Tyler Johnson and fourth-round rookie Arian Smith also thought to be locks on the roster. New York seems more likely to keep names like Xavier Gipson and Brandon Smith over Corley.

No one will confuse the run-heavy Eagles with a high-octane passing attack, but they are competent enough that they always put their receivers in advantageous positions. Douglas may be one of just a few who see something in Corley, and he might want to jump the line to acquire him.

The Jets are all about player development under Glenn and Mougey, but it looks like the Jets are chalking Corley up to a mistake of the past regime that is too far gone to turn into a key member of Tanner Engstrand's offense.

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