The Jets tried to find a mix of players in the 2024 NFL Draft who could both immediately help the team this season and give New York some depth/developmental talent for the future.
First-round tackle Olu Fashanu might not start Week 1, but he's a capable starter if called upon. Third-round wide receiver Malachi Corley will play a significant role on the offense as a great underneath receiver as early as possible. Even fourth-round running back Braelon Allen could become the team's No. 2 rusher behind Breece Hall. The Jets added just two defensive players in the draft with their final two picks.
Between all seven selections, only one made The Athletic's list of favorite picks in the 2024 NFL Draft: Corley. The Athletic cited Corley's yards after the catch and missed tackles forced skillset. Corley could be the missing piece for the Jets' offense for Aaron Rodgers alongside Hall and fellow receivers Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
In Western Kentucky’s air raid system, Corley produced otherworldly numbers. That’s not why he’s here, though. The Jets wanted him because in his last two years, Corley averaged 9.2 yards after the catch and led the country in missed tackles. If he can get open, catch the ball and make guys miss, he might wind up as Aaron Rodgers’ next favorite receiver — and that would mean Pro Bowls and a second contract.
There's a lot to like about Corley already. He's the self-proclaimed "YAC King" and could be one of the strongest receivers in the 2024 class despite his 5-foot-11, 215-pound frame. He bench-pressed as much as Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf did at the 2019 NFL Combine and posts a lot of workout videos on his personal Instagram account. From a production level, Corley finished his career with 253 catches for 2,968 yards and 29 touchdowns and led college football with 1,658 yards after the catch since 2022.
The Jets need Corley to become at least their third-best pass-catching option in the offense. Wilson and Hall can't do it on their own, and tight end Tyler Conklin isn't a world-beater. New York already can't rely on Allen Lazard to improve on his abysmal 2023 season, either.
A lot of Corley's success will come down to Aaron Rodgers' ability to return to his MVP form a year after he tore his Achilles. Other pro athletes have done it, so it will all depend on Rodgers' recovery over the past year. Fortunately for Corley, he'll get a lot of one-on-one time with his quarterback after he agreed to live in Rodgers' guest house for part of the year.
