NY Jets offer embarrassing excuse for Malachi Corley's lack of playing time

The NY Jets fell in love with Malachi Corley in the pre-draft process, so much so that reports emerged following the 2024 NFL Draft that the Western Kentucky standout was actually the organization's fourth-ranked wide receiver in the entire class.

Yes, that means he was likely ranked ahead of players like Brian Thomas Jr., Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman, Xavier Worthy, etc. The Jets were enamored with Corley, making multiple attempts to trade up into the second round.

In the end, they'd trade up to the first pick in the third round to secure a player who general manager Joe Douglas and now-former head coach Robert Saleh agreed they would land "no matter what." Corley was their guy.

That's what makes it even more stunning that the rookie third-round pick has played just three total snaps (two on offense) through seven weeks. He's been a regular healthy scratch, and that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

Why do the NY Jets continue to make Malachi Corley a healthy scratch?

Jets passing game coordinator and de facto offensive coordinator Todd Downing spoke to reporters on Thursday, and when asked about Corley's lack of playing time, he offered up a half-hearted excuse.

Downing insisted that Corley's benching hasn't been an indictment on the player and is more about the Jets' situation. He insisted the Jets have an "embarrassment of riches" at the wide receiver position, which is why Corley has not been able to see the field.

While that's partially true following the Davante Adams trade, Corley still wasn't being used before that. Xavier Gipson is a complete non-factor on offense and has struggled as a return man. Irv Charles may be a core special-teamer, but he shouldn't be receiving red-zone targets like he did last week.

Gipson is currently ranked as Pro Football Focus's 132nd-best wide receiver out of 135 with at least six targets this season. He's far and away PFF's lowest-graded kick and punt returner among full-time return specialists.

If the Jets don't believe Corley can contribute more than Gipson either on offense or as a returner, then they whiffed on this pick more than anyone could have imagined. Right now, Gipson is not an NFL-caliber player.

The Jets drafted Corley not only to be a YAC specialist and immediate role player on offense, but the plan was for him to receive returner reps in the summer and potentially take over that job. Yet, he wasn't even listed as a returner option on the team's depth chart in training camp.

Either the Jets believed a player who is not NFL-caliber was one of the best wide receivers in this year's draft class or the coaching staff is making a mistake not using him. It's one or the other.

But there are only so many weeks the Jets can continue to make excuses. There's no reason Malachi Corley should be riding the bench while Gipson and Charles receive snaps over him.

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