Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley is among the most explosive wideout prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. General managers that value production will have a top-64 grade on Corley. The Hilltoppers standout recorded 2,277 receiving yards across the previous two seasons. He’s scored 22 touchdowns throughout that time frame.
Corley is an electric receiver with terrific run-after-catch ability. With pre-snap motion a popular theme for today's NFL offenses, Corley possesses a skill set that can be utilized with alignment-fluid versatility. On tape, Corley wins as both an outside receiver and in the slot.
Corley possesses enough functional strength to defeat press-man coverage on the boundary. The Orange City, Florida native consistently runs through arm tackles with the ball in space. We've identified three ideal team fits for Corley in the 2024 NFL Draft.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
I expect the Steelers to prioritize an offensive lineman with their first-round pick (No. 20). A left tackle like Troy Fautanu or Kingsley Suamataia could be a priority if Broderick Jones isn’t moving from right tackle to left. Alternatively, a center is also needed, making Graham Barton or Jackson Powers-Johnson a potential first-round target.
General manager Omar Khan should then turn his attention to a receiver at No. 51 or 84 overall on day two. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, leaving few proven weapons behind for new quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Van Jefferson, who was signed in free agency, isn't an appropriate WR2 opposite George Pickens. Corley would complement Pickens nicely as a yards-after-catch threat.
DALLAS COWBOYS
A quiet necessity for the Cowboys' offense is a No. 3 receiver following the release of Michael Gallup. Jalen Tolbert is currently penciled into that role. A third-round selection out of South Alabama in 2022, Tolbert hasn't acclimated to professional football, accumulating just 24 catches in two seasons. A team with Super Bowl aspirations like the Cowboys requires a more effective passing-game weapon at WR3.
The Cowboys own picks 56 and 87. The aging Brandin Cooks is entering a contract season and is extremely unlikely to return to Dallas in 2025. Corley could begin his career as Mike McCarthy’s slot receiver before eventually replacing Cooks on the boundary opposite CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys should think ahead when considering Cooks' eventual successor.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Another corner is needed to pair with Tyson Campbell and a couple of offensive linemen are also entering contract years in Cam Robinson and Walker Little. They may be tough to keep given that an expensive Trevor Lawrence extension is coming down the pipeline. Therefore, the Jaguars may prioritize cornerback and offensive tackle with their first two selections (No. 17 and 48).
General manager Trent Baalke can't forget that he downgraded at receiver this offseason by swapping out Calvin Ridley for Gabe Davis. The Jaguars have a third-round comp pick (96), and two other selections close by in the fourth round (114 and 116). Corley would win underneath in Jacksonville while Davis and Christian Kirk threaten defenses deep.
