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Wide receiver Malachi Corley is in a tough spot.
The Jets’ 2024 third-round pick wants to have a larger role on game day, but the rookie plays a position where the Jets already have several established options, including Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.
Corley understands his situation, but that doesn’t make it any easier to navigate, especially when he said he feels he’s being left in the dark regarding what exactly the Jets want him to improve on.
Before Thursday’s practice, pass-game coordinator Todd Downing said Corley “certainly has gone through the season wanting more opportunities” and that he believes the 22-year-old is “learning to handle that in better and more mature ways.”
“Our priority is winning games, not evaluation,” Downing said. “And so we’re going to do what we feel puts us in the best position to compete and win games.
“Malachi has got a bright future in this league and he’s got a skill set that will eventually help teams win football games. Right now, he’s fighting to get the scraps from Davante and G and Allen and so on. So I think he’s learning to be a pro.”
In eight games, Corley has registered three catches for 16 yards and two rushes for 26 yards.
He should’ve had a 20-yard touchdown run in early November against the Texans had he not prematurely dropped the ball before entering the end zone — one of the many lowlights from a forgettable Jets season.
Corley said he’s had “a lot to learn” this season and has been trying to make the most out of his reps in practice and work on the scout team.
He said next time his name is called, he’ll be ready.
“Really having to hone in on your work every day, coming to work as if you are the starter, as if you are the guy. Because at any flip of the moment, you can go from playing no snaps to playing 50 plays in a single game,” Corley said. “So just staying prepared and mentally just being present every single day, taking the mental reps, being mindful of what I’m doing, and not just coming to work like woe me, woe is me, whatever, just really attacking the day as if I’m really the guy and that this is my chance to really show people who I am.”
Corley said there haven’t been many conversations about what it’ll take for him to be in the mix next season.
“I’m not really sure,” he said.
In the meantime, he plans to focus his efforts this offseason on becoming a more complete route runner and improving his technique.
“Hopefully, they see me in a bigger role next year,” he said.
Adams’ and cornerback Sauce Gardner’s availability for Sunday’s game in Buffalo remains up in the air.
For the second straight day, Adams (hip) and Gardner (hamstring) didn’t participate in practice, according to the team’s injury report.
While Gardner left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, Adams’ hip issue came as more of a surprise.
It’s unclear whether either will be cleared to play this weekend.
Meanwhile, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was listed as a full participant in practice despite dealing with a knee injury.
Morgan Moses (knee) and Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) also didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice, while Tony Adams (ankle), Michael Carter II (back), Braiden McGregor (ankle), Haason Reddick (neck), John Simpson (calf) and Quinnen Williams (hamstring) were limited in practice.
With left tackle Olu Fashanu on injured reserve with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, the battle for his starting spot is underway.
Max Mitchell appears as an obvious front-runner after he replaced Fashanu when the 2024 first-rounder was injured in Sunday’s home loss to the Rams.
In eight games, Mitchell has registered 97 snaps — mostly at right guard, according to Pro Football Focus.
Still, Downing said Thursday that nothing has been decided just yet, and Carter Warren could be another possibility.
“As for the options for this week and next week, there’s going to be a battle for that competition here starting in a couple hours,” Downing said. “Max and Carter have both done a great job with the opportunities they’ve had when they’ve been called in on short notice and excited to see which one of them comes out on top.”
Warren has recorded 51 snaps in four games this season, his second in the NFL.
