Malachi Corley

The Jets took a swing at a two-time national champion from Georgia when they selected wide receiver Arian Smith in Round 4. Smith enters the league at 23 years old into a very crowded, if unspectacular, receiver room.

Aside from slatwart Garrett Wilson, a standout camp and maturation could be Smith’s ticket to a starting gig. He’s presumably behind two journeymen on the depth chart—Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard—who are a combined 59 years old. They have typically been role players throughout their careers. Last year’s third-round draft pick, Malachi Corley did not see much action in his rookie season. The stars seem aligned for him and Smith to eventually take over as starters alongside Wilson.

The “light on talent” class made the Jets’ pick of Smith pretty clear. While his production over five seasons at Georgia was unimpressive, his numbers at this season’s combine point to an athletic receiver who is still developing. The Mulberry, FL native ran a 4.36 40-yard dash and ranked 10th among wide receivers with an athleticism score of 84.

The new receiver for the Jets did not show a lot in college until his senior season, when he hauled in 48 catches for 817 yards. To be fair, he did not have a lot of chances to get on the field before then, never having eclipsed nine catches in a season. That made his senior campaign that much more impressive.

How Smith develops is going to go a long way. It will be feast or famine for him in the NFL with no in-between. Either he grows quickly into a starting-caliber role, or he’s destined to be a practice squad journeyman waiting for injuries to provide opportunity.

Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)

Jets rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley has fallen 5.9 spots on UnderDog since late June. The 3rd round pick is best comparable to Curtis Samuel and can be drafted now in the 15th round. Aaron Rodgers has a history of freezing out rookie players and zeroing in on his favorite targets. This can create a feast or famine atmosphere for players attached to the 4-time MVP and future Hall of Famer.

Drafters are opting to click on the Rams Demarcus Robinson instead as Robinson has leapt up draft boards 7.8 spots in the same time frame as Corley’s drop and can be drafted 172 overall, 3 spots ahead of Corley. The sentiment being carried out is that drafters feel more confident in what could be the third option on a prolific and progressive offense that is led by Sean McVay versus selecting the Jets third wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams. Additionally, the week 17 Cardinals at Rams matchup is enticing. 

Consider letting Malachi Corley fall further in drafts while giving some differentiated consideration in selecting Corley in builds that correlate towards the Jets-Bills matchup in week 17. Meanwhile, continue clicking on Demarcus Robinson both at ADP and in correlated builds.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has made an offer to rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley to stay in his guest house when training camp begins, according to reports from Ari Meirov. Corley, who was drafted by the Jets with the 65th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, said he plans to accept Rodgers’ invitation. The former standout at Western Kentucky added that he has been texting with Rodgers frequently and hopes to pick his brain, potentially carving out a massive role as a slot receiver in Nathaniel Hackett’s offense.

While Corley’s physicality and ability to gain yardage after the catch only figure to boost Rodgers’ fantasy outlook going into the 2024 season, the 40-year-old quarterback’s early connection with the rookie bodes well for the young wideout as well. Although Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams will more than likely garner the majority of targets through the air, Corley should continue to grow into a bigger role as the season progresses. In standard formats, Corley should provide value as a potential late-round pick or waiver-wire add. In dynasty, though, he merits serious consideration from fantasy managers as a long-term asset going forward.