Job Security of Recent Jets Draft Pick Questioned Entering Camp

Coming off a 5-12 season, change is a key part of the New York Jets‘ offseason. With a new quarterback in town and a new head coach at the helm, things look different this summer.

With that transition in regime, several players from the previous one may be impacted. Training camp season is here, meaning everyone on the roster will have an opportunity to secure a spot. How many players are totally safe? The answer may surprise you, especially when considering recent Jets draft hauls.

In a training camp preview for The Athletic, senior writer Zack Rosenblatt brought into question the likelihood of wide receiver Malachi Corley making the team.

Rosenblatt: ‘Nothing Is Guaranteed’ for Malachi Corley

Rosenblatt cited Corley as someone in his “on the bubble” category, which contains 34 players.

“It would be a tough look if the Jets moved on from a third-round pick after one year, but this regime did not draft him, and it didn’t hide its disappointment in his lack of availability during the spring,” Rosenblatt wrote. “Corley needs to show some maturity fast, stay on the field and make progress as a route runner while also contributing on special teams. The talent is obvious and he brings a unique skill set, but nothing is guaranteed for him.”

It’s been a bumpy ride for Corley, to say the least. After breaking out at Western Kentucky in 2022 and 2023, New York moved up in last year’s NFL Draft to select him. Unfortunately, the former Hilltoppers standout didn’t parlay his yards after catch chops into real success.

As it turns out, Corley was more productive in the 2024 preseason than the regular season. He went from recording 7 receptions in three games to making 3 grabs for 16 yards in nine regular-season contests. Playing 83 offensive snaps last year, Corley amassed just 42 yards from scrimmage. Being limited by an injury earlier this offseason didn’t help matters.

Corley’s intentions for camp seem clear. He wants to rebound this time around. As Rosenblatt said, however, he has some work to do.

Analyzing Jets’ Wide Receiver Picture Entering 2025

Every conversation about the Jets’ pass catchers has to start with Garrett Wilson. He’s one of the premier wideouts in the game and doesn’t know what it’s like to not have a 1,000-yard season. He’s also committed to New York for the long haul, as evidenced by his lucrative contract extension. Wilson sets the tone for the receiver room.

Unfortunately for the Jets, there isn’t any high-end talent to complement Wilson. The NFL seems to know this. The current projected No. 2 receiver on the depth chart is either Josh Reynolds or Allen Lazard, with the former seemingly holding the upper hand. Reynolds’ best season to date came in 2023, when he had 40 catches, 608 yards and 5 scores with the Detroit Lions. Lazard had 530 yards and 6 touchdowns a season ago, but Aaron Rodgers is no longer under center. His stat line is expected to change.

Rosenblatt listed several other receivers as bubble candidates: Tyler Johnson, Jamaal Pritchett, Brandon Smith and Quentin Skinner. Johnson, who’s raved about the environment of the competitive wideout group, seems a bit closer to “roster lock” rookie Arian Smith than an undrafted free agent like the aforementioned three. Corley may find himself in that same boat.

Long story short: Corley stands a chance of year two being better than year one, but he has to make the team first.