Second-Year Jets Receiver Facing Brutally Frank Reality

The brief and disastrous Aaron Rodgers era has ended for the New York Jets, meaning their offense can charter a new path forward as new head coach Aaron Glenn steps into the seat. Next season, Justin Fields will be the quarterback taking the reins under center. 

Fields certainly has much to prove about his prospects as an NFL starter. Luckily, the Jets have him surrounded by impressive receiving prowess that should make his life a lot easier. 

This combination of depth and skill could help Fields succeed. But it also signals a sense of urgency for the guys listed lower on the depth chart. 

Specifically, second-year receiver Malachi Corley could be on the ropes heading into training camp. Corley, drafted in Round 3 of last year's draft by the old coaching staff, has struggled to stay on the field with an undisclosed injury. 

Receivers coach Shawn Jefferson was candid about the player's position with the new staff while talking to ESPN's Rich Cimini. 

“My old coach, Bill Parcells, used to say the first thing you need to be is you need to be available,” Jefferson said. “He’s missed some time, and there’s a learning curve here, so he’s in catch-up mode right now.”

Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds make up the upper echelon of the team's depth chart. Following those three, there are other players ready and capable of holding onto a spot further down the chart, especially if Corley cannot make it onto the field. 

Glenn has emphasized that Corley will get his shot. But again, that first requires his availability. 

“There’s a plan for him, and we’re going to make sure that we try to utilize him to what he can do best, and we’ve seen that in college,” Glenn said. “Hopefully, he gets well soon, and we get a chance to utilize his skill set.”

Corley still has time to make an impression with training camp on the horizon, though there remains plenty of ground for him to make up. If he can't, then it may spell an early conclusion to his tenure in New York.