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Malachi Corley Should Not Return Kicks for the New York Jets

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Michael Pallas | Last updated 5/12/24

When the New York Jets selected Malachi Corley with the 65th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, immediately, fans and media began to discuss how he could impact the Jets with the ball in his hands. Well, that should be limited to exclusively the offense. He should not be used to return kicks in any form or fashion.

Malachi Corley Shouldn’t Return Kicks

Let’s look at both the positive and negative of him doing so, and examine why the minus outweighs the plus.

Corley is Electric with the Ball in his Hands

Corley earned the nickname YAC King while in college. He was used very much in that role at Western Kentucky. He has had some flashes of other useful skills. However, his main attributes are vertically as a downfield threat, and, more specifically, on quick and short throws using his size and late burst to gain yards after the catch.

He doesn’t have initial speed, but he can ramp it up. Corley can get to top speed, but he’s not one that is necessarily a burner from the outset. That’s why many would think he’d be good on kickoffs, especially with the new rule.

The new kickoff rule forces teams to allow for a return. The kick must land in the landing zone and be returnable. With a Special Teams Coordinator like Brant Boyer, the Jets could design a kickoff play for Corely that allows him to build up speed. He would also be able to use his size to break tackles.

Jets Have Clear Plan Moving Forward for 2024

The Jets did make two risky signings. Both Mike Williams and Tyron Smith have a lengthy injury history. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, after failing to trade up to land a wide receiver, the Jets pivoted.

The #Jets made attempts to trade up in the #NFLDraft., multiple sources told @snytv. They were unsuccessful.

The #Giants & #Bears were locked on Malik Nabers & Rome Odunze

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 26, 2024

They ended up trading down one spot with the Minnesota Vikings — who selected quarterback J.J. McCarthy — and they used the No. 11 pick on Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu. That move was clearly to mitigate the risk of the injury history of Smith after failing to land the wide receiver they wanted. Also, they didn’t want Brock Bowers.

Let’s be honest with ourselves here. If the pivot was from a top-flight wide receiver to an offensive lineman — instead of Bowers — it makes no sense to use Corley on kickoff returns (or punt returns for that matter).

Sure, one could make an argument if the reward outweighs the risk, then Corley should be a returner and a wide receiver. That being said, the game plan this offseason clearly means there’s no way the reward can outweigh the risk.

The more plays he participates in, the more he gets exposed to injury risk. Even though he’s a rookie, he should be an integral part of the Jets offense, especially with the way Rodgers likes to distribute the ball.

The Jets are in win-now mode. They need to limit risk. They needed a vertical threat and a left tackle. So, the risk of signing Williams and Smith was necessary, but the risk of Corley on kick returns is not.

The Jets also have Xavier Gipson as an option.

In the end, it just makes zero sense to use Corley in that role.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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