Time Running Out for Young Jets Receiver

After an offseason of overhaul, the New York Jets will look to toe the line between rebuilding and competing for a playoff spot. The defense, loaded with stars, will be expected to carry the load once again in 2025.

The offense, meanwhile, largely rests on quarterback Justin Fields’ shoulders. He’ll be supported by a strong run game and an offensive line with two first-round tackles. His pass catchers, though, lag behind.

Receiver Garrett Wilson is a star, and second-round tight end Mason Taylor has earned praise ahead of his inaugural season. The team didn’t adequately replace Davante Adams, leaving the group thinner and less potent than a season ago.

That lends itself to uncertainty, and as the offseason continues, the receiving corps can see some significant turnover behind Wilson.

Subsequently, the Jets could release second-year receiver Malachi Corley after his disappointing rookie season.

“Smith is doing what Corley did not in his rookie year: impressing the coaches in practice. The ‘YAC King’ will need a massive OTA and training camp session if he is going to make the roster moving forward, even if it means playing on special teams,” Nick Faria wrote. “Smith was a clear winner from the last couple of days, and that is terrible news for Corley. With a new regime in place that did not draft him, Corley needs to earn his spot on the team.”

As Faria notes, head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey weren’t the ones to write “Malachi Corley no matter what” ahead of his selection. He’s merely an unproven player with a limited skill set.

Corley is a YAC-first receiver who has not shown the route-running or catch-point prowess to comfortably start, and if he’s not making a difference on special teams, the case for his roster spot grows far more convincing.

“Do I think Corley’s roster spot’s in danger?,” Locked On Jets host John Butchko said. “I do think it’s in danger because despite the Jets lacking quality at the receiver position they have a lot of guys who seem like locks to make the roster.”

Corley had just three receptions for 16 yards as a rookie, to go with two rushes for 26 yards. He has more career fumbles (one) than touchdowns (zero).

Simply put, he cannot rely on his third-round draft capital to lock in his roster spot. If Corley struggles this summer, he may very well find himself on the practice squad – or worse – in 2025.