Garrett Wilson has perfect one-word description for NY Jets rookie WR

Malachi Corley is making a strong first impression

Justin Fried

Garrett Wilson / Rich Schultz/GettyImages

NY Jets rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley has wasted little time making a strong first impression on his new coaching staff and teammates. Count Garrett Wilson among those who have been impressed.

Wilson spoke to reporters following Wednesday's practice and offered some praise for his rookie teammate, offering up a brilliant one-word description for the former Western Kentucky standout.

Wilson referred to Corley as a "brute" while speaking about the latter's ability to make plays after the catch. Corley was described by Wilson as a "little bowling ball" who knows how to make defenders miss.

That's a fairly apt description for a player who earned the nickname "The YAC King" in college. Corley is hoping to bring that same skill set to the NFL where he'll have a golden opportunity to carve out a role with the Jets this season.

"[Malachi Corley]'s a brute, and once he catches that ball he's got great instincts of where the defense is going to be at and how to make someone miss. He can go over the middle and take hits. I know I wouldn't be trying to tackle him, he looks like a problem, a little bowling ball out there, so I'm excited."
Garrett Wilson

The NY Jets hope Malachi Corley can be their 'YAC King' on offense

Corley's "YAC King" nickname is well-earned. The Florida native racked up a whopping 2,068 yards after the catch between 2021 and 2023, over 400 yards more than any other player at the FBS level.

While Corley remains unrefined as a route runner and is still working on the nuances of the position, there's no denying his playmaking upside. The Jets will find ways to get the ball in his hands as a rookie.

Wilson's description is fitting, seeing as Corley possesses the ability to not only run around and evade would-be tacklers but also to barrel them over with sheer physicality. He's a wide receiver who plays with a running back's mentality.

Corley is seen as the favorite to win the Jets' starting slot receiver job this summer. He will be competing with Allen Lazard and others for WR3 reps behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, but given Lazard's early struggles this spring, it's easy to see why the rookie is seen as the frontrunner.

The Jets made it clear how much they value Corley with their public and famous pursuit of him on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. It was Malachi Corley "no matter what" for Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas.

Corley is already earning the trust and admiration of his new teammates. The Jets have high hopes for his future.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.