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Malachi Corley Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
- Dangerous run-after-the-catch skills
- Comes alive with the ball in his hands
- Impressive ability to break tackles
- Has a burst to hit open space
- Athletic ability
- Big-play threat
- Toughness
- Strong build
- Phenomenal fit for a West Coast offense
Weaknesses:
- Not a good route-runner
- Not good at winning 50/50 passes
- Dropped balls
Prospect Summary:
Over the past three seasons, Corley was a dangerous playmaker for Western Kentucky. He broke out in 2021 when he had 73 receptions for 691 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2022 as a junior, he had his best season, putting up 101 catches for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns. Corley then recorded 79 catches for 984 yards and 11 scores in 2023.
The passing-driven NFL leaves teams always on the lookout for playmakers for the aerial offense, and Corley has that potential. He has dangerous quickness to go along with his strong build. In college, Corley did a lot of damage on quick passes that got him the ball in space, which allowed him to make things happen in the second level. Corley has a burst in the open field and is a dangerous run-after-the-catch receiver as he possesses a thick build that allows him to run through tackles. Corley really comes alive after catching the ball, ripping off yards in chunks thanks to some serious toughness as a runner.
Corley has a number of points of improvement for the NFL. His route-running needs development, and he will need to sharpen his routes for separating from pro defensive backs. Corley also needs to improve his hands as there were some drops in college. Even though he is strong, Corley is not good at winning contested 50/50 catches, so improving his ability to win those kinds of passes is necessary given that it will be harder to get open as a pro. While Corley has athletic ability, he lacks elite top-end speed and is not overly tall or long to create a height mismatch.
There has been some media buzz about Corley going in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Some team sources said they had him lower than that. Perhaps the team that likes Corley enough to select him will take him in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he if doesn’t go in the second round, he probably will be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Prospect Comparison:
Earl Bennett. Corley reminds of the former Chicago receiver. Bennett (5-11, 209) was almost identical in size and playing style. Bennett was a third-round pick in 2008, and Corley could go in the same range this year during the 2024 NFL Draft.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
