This isn’t what Malachi Corley envisioned for his rookie season.
Not even shut.
The Jets receiver, whom they drafted within the third spherical, was sincere about his tough first yr within the NFL.
He actually didn’t see it coming, and remains to be processing what has gone unsuitable to convey him to this undesirable spot in near-forgotten territory.
“It doesn’t make anyone happy, that’s it,” Corley informed The Publish after follow Thursday. “As a rookie, you pay your dues. You get your opportunities, you capitalize on them when you get them. It’s all about staying down, keeping your head down, chopping wood and carrying water, just trying to get better through the process, learn as much as you can.”
Corley was inactive for the Jets’ 32-26 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday in Miami.
It marked the fourth time this yr Corley was inactive for a recreation regardless of being wholesome.
He was inactive from Weeks 5-7, and within the Jets’ Week 4 loss to the Broncos, Corley didn’t play a single snap regardless of being lively.
That Corley was a wholesome scratch final recreation is especially notable.
He had simply performed a season-high 60 p.c of the workforce’s offensive snaps through the Jets’ Week 12 loss to the Seahawks.
However he didn’t capitalize and didn’t document any catches on only one goal.
Corley had one rush for 8 yards.
Allen Lazard was activated off injured reserve and returned for Sunday’s loss after lacking the earlier 5 video games.
Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson and Lazard all being wholesome leaves little room for Corley, and the Jets have normally opted to maintain Irv Charles and Xavier Gipson — who’re much more adept at particular groups than Corley — lively on recreation days as receiver depth, if wanted.
However Charles is now out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, doubtlessly opening the door to a different alternative for Corley to swimsuit up.
“Honestly, it all works out in God’s time,” Corley stated. “You’re in certain positions for certain reasons and there are seasons of your life that happen. And you have to learn as much as you can through them. This is an unfamiliar position for myself. I just do whatever I can do to help the team win, whether it’s like today, playing scout team running back, being ready to play nickel [cornerback] if I have to, taking run-block reps, whatever it may be.”
For the season, Corley has simply three catches for 16 yards and two carries for 26 yards and has performed simply 83 whole snaps on offense.
He was drafted as a promising playmaker with the ball in his fingers however has been relegated to the scout workforce in follow.
“I can’t let exterior circumstances predicate how I go about my business,” Corley stated. “Just staying ready for when my opportunity comes. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Just every day attacking it like I am the guy, like I am the starter.”
Corley’s most memorable second this season was a brutal gaffe.
In the course of the workforce’s Week 9 win over the Texans, Corley thought he had scored on a 19-yard end-around rush, however he dropped the ball simply earlier than the tip zone whereas prematurely celebrating.
The ball rolled out of the tip zone for a touchback and Corley subsequently turned the butt of relentless ridicule.
Corley has had virtually no purpose to take optimism from what seems headed for a misplaced 12 months 1.
“I am who I say I am,” Corley stated. “My confidence level is 100 percent that whenever I get my opportunities, I will thrive in them. Just putting in the work now so hopefully next year I’ll have a bigger role and bigger opportunity.”
