Jets' Malachi Corley is a receiver who wants to run someone over on the field

Malachi Corley of the New York Jets during practice at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Monday. Credit: Dawn McCormick
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Malachi Corley really wants to run into and over somebody.
The Jets’ rookie receiver can’t do that much in a controlled practice setting. Corley lamented after Thursday’s joint practice with the Carolina Panthers that he “didn’t really get to put my hands on guys,” and he’s
looking forward to Saturday’s preseason game against Carolina.
“That’s what the games are for,” Corley said. “You finally get to put your physicality on full display. But for right now, I’ll just take some hard blocking reps until I really get to the meat and potatoes.”
The 5-11, 215-pound Corley made his name in college — “YAC King” for Yards After the Catch — by using his body to extend plays.
Corley caught 253 passes for 2,970 yards in his last three years at Western Kentucky. He led the FBS with 2,068 yards after the catch in that time.
Corley and the Jets are confident that playing physically and imposing his will on defensive players will transfer to the NFL.
“Love his mindset,” coach Robert Saleh said. “I love the way he works. It’s very, very important to him. He’s going to be a really good player.”
Saleh said Corley “can be pretty damn good with the ball in his hands.”
The Jets are looking for different ways to get it to him, including kickoff and punt returns.
Corley played 18 offensive snaps and caught four passes for 27 yards in his preseason debut last Saturday against Washington. He hopes for more in this game.
On one grab against the Commanders, he tried to evade tacklers instead of lowering his shoulder and running through them. Corley also had a 33-yard kick return but misplayed a punt.
The Jets think Corley could be a weapon with the new kickoff rule that features two returners. As a receiver, the Jets say Corley is progressing well, but he’s still learning the playbook and working on his route running and how to create separation.
Receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said Corley is “ahead of the learning curve” because of how physical he is.
“That’s going to be a huge part of his game that we welcome,” Jefferson said. “We talk about a style of play, and he fits that style of play.”
Corley is still working his way into the receiver rotation in a crowded room that includes Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Allen Lazard and Xavier Gipson. Corley has had some good days in camp and shown improvement. Wilson joked about Corley wanting to run over people, comparing him to bruising rookie running back Braelon Allen.
“It’s really cool to see his progression and the way he’s wired,” Wilson said. “The seeking contact, that’s the one thing that makes me doubt him a little bit. That boy will run and truck-stick like Braelon. I don’t know what’s going on there, but nah, it’s really cool. I know we got some cool ways to use him and he’s going to have a great year. I’m excited to see him run the ball, man.”
There’s been times Corley can’t believe he’s playing with future Hall of Famers Aaron Rodgers and Tyron Smith, and even Wilson, whom he’s been following on Instagram since high school.
Corley also spent a lot of time watching and taking things from 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel’s game. Corley has been compared to Samuel because of his physicality and the way he makes defensive players not want to take the full brunt of his hit.
“Just his ability to run through the tackles and then in space,” Corley said, “being able to make guys miss and really hit those gaps full speed, because in this league, a lot of guys make some business decisions sometimes. Running through guys over and over, guys kind of get tired of that. You start to notice guys taking sideswipes and everything like that.
“It’s just a physical brand of football, and everyone’s not built for it.”
Corley looks as if he is.