NY Jets rookie Malachi Corley could be a healthy scratch in Week 1

The NY Jets have high expectations for rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley, as evidenced by the team's aggressive pursuit to trade up and land him in this year's 2024 NFL Draft.

Corley is held in high regard by the Jets' coaching staff and front office alike, and the team hopes he can eventually become a featured part of their offense. The key word in that sentence, however, is "eventually."

The Jets always knew that Corley would be a work in progress. While the young wideout made a living as a YAC specialist at Western Kentucky, he's still learning the nuances of the wide receiver position. His route-running is not where the Jets would like it to be at the moment.

That's why there's a very real chance that Corley will be a healthy scratch in Week 1. No, this isn't a report, and no, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it did happen, but based on everything we know coming out of Jets training camp, it's a definite possibility.

What will Malachi Corley's role be for the NY Jets in 2024?

Corley is currently penciled in as WR5 on the Jets' depth chart behind Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, and Allen Lazard. There was hope that Corley could step in and immediately win the starting slot receiver job this summer, but that didn't happen.

Despite Gipson missing time in training camp and the preseason with an injury, Corley was unable to move his way up the depth chart. Right now, his role in the Jets' offense is undefined — that is if he has a role at all.

A large portion of Corley's targets in training camp and the preseason came on manufactured touches. The Jets were scheming ways to get the ball in his hands because they don't yet trust his route running.

If Corley is active in Week 1, his role will likely be little more than a gadget receiver who plays a few snaps. That's pretty much it. But again, that's not even a guarantee.

The Jets are going to dress five other wide receivers in Week 1, the aforementioned Wilson, Williams, Gipson, and Lazard plus special-teams ace Irv Charles. The team rarely dressed six wide receivers in 2023, so it's very possible Corley is the odd man out.

The Jets could also choose to elevate either Jason Brownlee or Brandon Smith from the practice squad for Week 1 if the team believes either would play a larger role on offense. Corley is low on the depth chart right now.

There is one potential saving grace, however. Corley can earn a spot on the game-day active roster if he contributes on special teams. The Jets didn't use Corley in kick coverage, punt coverage, etc. during the summer. Instead, he was attempting to win a job as one of the team's kick returners.

Gipson is locked in to one of the kick returner jobs, but the NFL's new rules make it so teams will have two return specialists back deep to receive every kickoff. Corley has a chance to be that second return man. That's also not a guarantee, however.

Rookie running back Isaiah Davis was used quite a bit in that same role this summer and might have the edge over Corley for the time being. Corley wasn't used much as a returner in college — that's another aspect of his game the Jets are working to develop.

Corley might very well be active come next week's Monday Night Football matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, but even if he is, don't expect the rookie wide receiver to have much of a role.

The Jets remain high on his future, but for the time being, he's essentially a developmental project.

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