The Jets entered Day 2 of the NFL Draft with just one pick but maximized their efforts, trading up from No. 72 to No. 65 to select Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley.
The selection was announced by former Gang Green wideout, and Gang Green dealt No. 72 and the No. 157 pick in the fifth-round to Carolina to acquire the pick.
Corley was First Team All-CUSA in 2022 and 203, and his 253 catches are the most in school history. He had 79 grabs for 894 yards and a Conference USA-leading 11 TD in 2023.
His 29 TD overall in four years at WKU are second in team history, and his 3,033 yards are third overall. Corley has 4.46 speed in the 40, and Mel Kiper Jr. labeled him as having a “Deebo Samuel mindset,” as he can line up inside, outside, or in the backfield.
During his post-pick press conference, Jets GM Joe Douglas said “we’re juiced” and that Corley “plays with violence and anger," and they started making calls midway through the second round to try to move up to pick him.