Coming into the 2024 NFL offseason, the New York Jets had very clear goals to accomplish with their roster. For the second straight season, their offense torpedoed any chances the team had to be competitive and make a run at the postseason.
In 2023, the biggest downfall for the Jets in the opinion of many people was the injury to Aaron Rodgers. However, his absence showed just how much work remained for the front office to get this roster up to speed.
During free agency, general manager Joe Douglas got to work adding weapons around Rodgers and improving the offensive line. Last season, the Jets’ offense was bad in large part because of how inept they were in the trenches.
Looking to fix that, Douglas acquired veteran tackle Morgan Moses in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. The team signed guard John Simpson away from Baltimore as well, along with former Dallas Cowboys star, left tackle Tyron Smith.
To further bolster the offensive line, the Jets used their first-round pick on Penn State standout Olu Fashanu. It was a pick that Rodgers spoke very highly of, as he knows getting protected is key to him remaining healthy and in the lineup.
The same sentiment was shared with the second selection that the Jets made in the 2024 NFL Draft. After not having a second-round pick, New York got aggressive and made a trade with the Carolina Panthers to acquire the first pick in the third round.
With that pick, the Jets selected Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. As shared by Jets beat reporter Rich Cimini, the Corley selection is one that head coach Robert Saleh and Rodgers were very happy with.
Corley was incredibly productive during his time at Western Kentucky. He is a terror with the ball in his hands, leading the nation in yards after the catch in the last two seasons with 1,674. Standing 5’11” and weighing 207 pounds, he is similar in stature and playing style to San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel.
Hearing that will certainly get Jets fans excited for what is to come. Corley should have a role with the team immediately as a top option in the passing game along with Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
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