Will Malachi Corley Start For The Jets? 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Many thought the New York Jets would select tight end Brock Bowers early in the 2024 NFL Draft to beef up their receiving game. However, they decided to pass on Bowers to select offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu with the 11th overall pick.

The Jets, though, wasted no time in selecting a pass-catcher with their next pick. With no second-round pick due to the Aaron Rodgers trade, New York targeted former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley with their third-round pick (65th overall).

So, will Corley start for the Jets in 2024? Let's find out.

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Will Malachi Corley Start For The Jets?

The Jets wide receiver corps will look different this year after the team signed Mike Williams this offseason. New York signed Williams to a one-year deal worth $10 million, and the veteran should see plenty of opportunities as the WR2 behind Garrett Wilson. 

With Wilson and Williams locked into the top two spots in the wide receiver room, the Jets are looking for another playmaker to set themselves apart in training camp to win the WR3 job. That player could be Corley -- who should have every opportunity to start for New York as a rookie.

Malachi Corley had 2,279 yards & 22 TDs over just the last 2 seasons

He's dynamic, explosive, & has great hands

And he's on the #Jets 🔥✈ pic.twitter.com/WO6aRsnjsw

— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) April 27, 2024

Corley will have to beat out Allen Lazard and Jason Brownlee in training camp, which could certainly happen. The rookie was one of the best yards-after-the-catch receivers in college over the past few years. He also totaled a combined 29 receiving touchdowns over the past three college seasons.

Malachi Corley Fantasy Football Outlook

There's a lot to like about Corley's game in Year 1. For starters, he has the opportunity to start right away in the slot for the Jets. That should help the rookie's development throughout the season. He will also catch passes from a future Hall of Fame quarterback. 

Those two things alone should help him be fantasy-relevant in some games throughout the year. Look for Rodgers to target him more as the season goes on, especially with his yards-after-the-catch potential.

The #Jets LOVE Malachi Corley. The moment they lost out on Rome Odunze he became their top priority. They couldn’t get back into the second round, but were able to get him with the first pick in the third.

What makes him special? Here’s what I was told pic.twitter.com/gackDbiQKP

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 27, 2024

For dynasty purposes, Corley will likely have some up-and-down games since Wilson and Williams will garner most of the targets on offense. However, the latter is only on a one-year deal, meaning the rookie could eventually move up on the depth chart in 2025.

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