Expectations for Malachi Corley, Jets' Top Rookies in Preseason

The New York Jets have a handful of exciting rookies who should showcase their talents throughout preseason.

Wide receiver Malachi Corley is front and center on the list of rookies who could catch the eyes of fans in August.

Corley wasn't the Jets' first selection in the 2024 NFL draft, that was offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, but he is the highest-selected offensive skill position player among Jets rookies.

Corley, Fashanu and running backs Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen will garner the most attention among rookies.

All four of them may end up playing decent-sized roles in September if they get off to strong starts in August.

Malachi Corley

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FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 04: Malachi Corley #17 of the New York Jets participates in drills during New York Jets OTA Offseason Workouts at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 04, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Malachi Corley has the potential to earn a significant amount of playing time across the three preseason games against the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and New York Giants.

Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams are already slotted into the Nos. 1 and 2 spots on the wide receiver depth chart.

The expectation is Wilson and Williams will not play many snaps because of their respective statuses.

If that is the case, Corley should receive a ton of reps alongside Xavier Gipson, Allen Lazard and Jason Brownlee in the fight for the No. 3 wide receiver spot.

Corley has the talent to overtake Gipson. He needs to develop a connection with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor to make that move into the No. 3 role.

The Jets could use Corley's skill set right away to complement Wilson and Williams. You could make the case that his development is the most important thing to come from training camp.

Olu Fashanu

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FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 11: Olu Fashanu #74 of the New York Jets participates in drills during New York Jets Mandatory Minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 11, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Olu Fashanu was drafted in the first round to be the Jets' left tackle of the future.

He is currently behind Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses on the tackle depth chart, so that means we should see him a decent amount in preseason.

Fashanu needs to showcase he can flawlessly transition from Penn State to the NFL level in order to either replace Smith or Moses in 2024, or be the anchor of the offensive line starting in 2025.

The best-case scenario for the Jets is that Fashanu thrives during his preseason reps and challenges for a starting spot almost immediately.

There is always a worst-case scenario in play in which he needs time to develop, but the hope is that the best-case situation comes true and he protects Aaron Rodgers sooner rather than later.

Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis

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FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 11: Braelon Allen #0 of the New York Jets participates in drills during New York Jets Mandatory Minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 11, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will both be under a close microscope in preseason.

The Jets have absolutely zero reason to use Breece Hall on more than one or two drives per game to preserve his legs for the regular season.

That opens up a ton of snaps for the rookies out of Wisconsin and South Dakota State to showcase their talents.

Allen and Davis are fighting for the backup running back role alongside Israel Abanikanda.

The wide-open backup running back contest should end up as one of the Jets' top positional battles over the next month.

The expectation is for at least one of the two rookie running backs to shine and take the No. 2 role.

The Jets would love if both players excel in preseason, but at least one of them must thrive to give them a reliable backup behind their 1,000-yard rusher.