The Jets, using some of the “flexibility” that general manager Joe Douglas said they gained in their three-pick-for-two trade with Minnesota on Thursday night, made another trade to move from the top of Round 3 to the top of the round. tonight and passed his second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft on Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley.

Corley saw more and more action in his four seasons with the Hilltoppers. The 5-11, 215-pound senior moved throughout the offense and set the school record with 259 career receptions for 2,943 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was a starter his final three seasons and was named first-team All-Conference USA his final two seasons.

He was unable to participate in the Combine due to injury, but a month later at his pro day, Corley wowed 31 of the 32 NFL teams that sent representatives to watch him. He ran his 40 seconds in the 4.45 to 4.47 second range and also performed a strong 4.26 second 3-cone drill.

Corley’s game-day resume includes a strong yardage-after-catch dimension (he earned the nickname “YAC King” as a Hilltopper) and a mentality that he’s not shy about taking or taking hits. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein chose San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel as Corley’s NFL comparison.

And Corley was happy to hear Carolina WR legend Steve Smith Jr. describe him as the steal of this draft.

“It’s unbelievable,” he told NFL Network’s Total Access before the draft. “Coming from high school football in a small town in Kentucky and even playing college football in a small town in Western Kentucky, it feels amazing to have players who are Hall of Famers that I modeled my game after and They appreciate my game. That’s something special.”

With Jets reporters after his selection, Corley described being selected by the Jets as “almost surreal.”

“Knowing my journey, where I come from, and then knowing that I get to play with someone great that I’ve been watching since I was younger, like Aaron Rodgers… I was just too excited to get the call,” he said.

Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh were excited to make the decision.

“We’re excited, man,” Douglas said. “You watch video of him and it’s hard not to get excited. He’s just an explosive, dynamic player with the ball in his hands and a guy that we think can be a real weapon.”

“He’s an elite player with the ball in his hands,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s an angry running back. He calls himself the YAC King and he deserves it. I’m sure he has some things to work on, but at the same time, we love his way of thinking, we love his style of play. He’s going to bring a added element.”

And Saleh confirmed that Rodgers has similar feelings about Corley joining.

“I already got a text message,” the coach said. “He is excited”.

Corley’s description of his game should excite everyone who wears the green and white jersey.

“My biggest strength is yards after the catch. I think that’s my calling card,” he said, confirming his nickname and also the YAC King network that he said is “on hold.” “I think I do it better than anyone. I think when I have the ball in my hands, I can make special plays.”

The Jets didn’t need any encouragement to trade their only pick of day two, the 72nd pick in Round 3. But the number of double-digit trades ahead of them in Round 2 tonight couldn’t help but get the Green and White . in the mood. They sent their No. 72 overall pick, eighth in Round 3, plus the No. 157 Round 5 pick they got from the Vikings to move up to No. 65 to the Panthers at the top of the third round.

The Jets made only four previous draft picks from WKU and only two since 1970. DB Davlin Mullen (1983, Round 8, No. 217) and RB Clarence “Jazz” Jackson (1974, Round 16, No. 395) are the only ones members of the Big Red to begin being selected and start at least one game for the Green and White.