Giants
Ishika Samant | Getty
Former New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley could be a top waiver wire target for the Giants.
The New York Giants, along with 31 other teams, will be scouring the waiver wire for diamonds in the rough, potentially capable of elevating the roster in the days ahead.
After trimming the roster to the initial 53 players, following some difficult debates and decisions with the front office and coaching staff, one position where the Giants could use an upgrade and an infusion of possible upside is at wide receiver.
Former New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley could be an ideal fit for the Giants, and what head coach Brian Daboll hopes to build the offense into around quarterback Russell Wilson and perhaps eventually in 2025, rookie Jaxson Dart.
Corley, just 23 years old, never quite lived up to his potential as a former third-round draft choice with the Jets and could benefit from a change of scenery and a new scheme.
As a rookie Corley appeared in nine games, catching three passes for 16 yards, while finding himself in the midst of a wild controversy where he reportedly turned down Davante Adams’ offer of $20,000 for the No. 17 jersey after the All-Pro receiver arrived in a trade deadline deal last fall. Corley also refused to play special teams.
However, after the Giants moved on from wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Corley could be the kind of young developmental project at a position where the Giants hope to frequently stretch the field.
Could Giants Take a Chance on Malachi Corley?
Former Jets WR Malachi Corley
GettyThe Malachi Corley era for the Jets is coming to an end after just one season.
Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, it was easy to envision Corley developing into a Deebo Samuel-type wide receiver-running back hybrid weapon.
Across three seasons at Western Kentucky, Corley averaged 11.7 yards per reception while catching 259 passes for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns and adding 19 carries for 92 yards.
Obviously, as a rookie, Corley’s explosiveness and versatility didn’t translate, but it is fair to wonder how much of the issues were a product of his situation with the Jets, the inconsistency in terms of coaching philosophy, or a player who let his draft status cloud his work ethic.
Regardless, given Corley’s 5-foot-11 and 215 pound frame combined with college tape that is loaded with twitchy catches and glimpses of a smooth route runner with the traits of an after the catch weapon, he could be the kind of player the Giants could pluck off waivers and turn into a dynamic option in a wide open receiving corps.