2024 Rookie Profile: WR Malachi Corley (Fantasy Football)

When evaluating a prospect from a smaller program with less challenging competition, caution is imperative in establishing realistic expectations for their performance at the next level. This rings especially true when a player is hailed as “the next Deebo Samuel” owing to their supernatural knack for YAC. However, there are instances where players possess such extraordinary physical abilities that it becomes justifiable to anticipate continued dominance at the highest level of competition. Despite uncertainties surrounding the quality of his typical opposition, Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky University exhibited remarkable dominance, exceptional versatility, and glimpses of brilliance throughout his three full seasons with the program. 

While Western Kentucky’s air-raid offense is far from synonymous with producing elite NFL talent, noteworthy players such as Bailey Zappe, Mike White, and Tyler Higbee have emerged from the program. While these names may not evoke excitement, Corley is a far more exciting prospect who has what it takes to break the stigma. With that said, his success in the NFL could ultimately hinge more on draft capital and landing spot compared to some peers. Nevertheless, his distinctive ability to gain yards after the catch and bulldoze through opposition suggests the potential to overcome current obstacles, positioning him as a prospective fantasy football force upon entering the league. 

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2024 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and the production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2024.

College Production Profile

Initially rated as a two-star recruit from Campbellsville High School in Kentucky, Corley’s collegiate production profile reveals a notable gap in his freshman year output. This deficiency is not attributed to a lack of talent but rather stems from his position transition. Originally recruited to play cornerback and running back for Western Kentucky, Corley shifted to wide receiver during his freshman year. Despite the adjustment, he concluded the season with a modest performance, amassing six receptions for 65 yards across three games.

Entering his sophomore season in 2021, Corley showcased unforeseen potential, surpassing original expectations. Across 14 games, he recorded an impressive 73 receptions, accumulating 691 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. With a complete offseason dedicated to refining his skills as a wide receiver, Corley emerged as the focal point in his team’s offensive strategy. Having completed his first full and productive season as a wide receiver, the stage was set for his transformation from an unheralded wide receiver prospect into “the YAC King”.

His junior season in 2022 marked a significant turning point in his football journey. Previously overlooked for NFL potential, Corley’s breakout performance came to light. In 14 games, he astounded with 101 receptions for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns, elevating his yards per reception from 9.5 in 2021 to an impressive 12.5 in 2022. Notably, 975 of his total yards were gained after the catch, and he showcased exceptional elusiveness by forcing 40 missed tackles. Demonstrating versatility, he contributed to the running game with 11 rushes for 87 yards. Recognizing his outstanding play, Corley secured a spot on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List and earned 2022 All-Conference First Team honors.

Agent 89 breaks down film with the YAC King, Malachi Corley

: https://t.co/4FQ54JH77c pic.twitter.com/eNM0lODjIx

— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) February 22, 2024

His senior season in 2023 further showcased his remarkable progression. In 12 games, he notched 79 receptions for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns, boasting an average of 12.5 yards per reception. Impressively, he led his team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns for the second consecutive season. Though less involved in the running game compared to the prior season, he turned four carries into 11 yards. Corley’s outstanding performance earned him All-Conference First Team honors for the second consecutive year.

2023 Season Per Game AVG:

• Receptions: 6.6
• Receiving Yards: 82
• Receiving TDs: 0.9

2023 Season Metrics:

• Average Depth of Target (aDOT): 5.8
• Target Rate vs. Zone: 31.6%
• Yards per Route Run vs. Zone: 2.54
• Target Rate vs. Man: 37.2%
• Yards per Route vs. Man: 3.51

Measurements

Standing at 5’11” and weighing 215 lbs, Corley, while not the tallest prospect in his class, boasts a robust physique reminiscent of Deebo Samuel. His compact, muscular build leans more toward a running back than a traditional wide receiver. Given his size, it is reasonable to expect him to primarily line up in the slot in the NFL, occasionally incorporating plays out of the backfield and pre-snap motions for manufactured touches that capitalize on his unique skills. Due to the fact that he took 324 snaps in the slot and only 51 out wide in 2023, this role should feel exceptionally natural for him.

Corley’s performance at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl was nothing short of spectacular. In the limited tape on his one-on-one drills, his routes were sharp and notably physical, often overpowering defensive backs attempting to cover him. This dominance earned him the title of the top wide receiver on the national team, voted by defensive back teammates during the Player of the Week Awards Ceremony. In this brief appearance at the Senior Bowl, Corley was able to address questions and dispel concerns about his ability to run a diverse route tree, showcasing impressive skills in this area. Notable players like Puka Nacua, Tank Dell, and Dontayvion Wicks from the 2023 Senior Bowl underscore the significance of his positive showing.

Biggest thing NFL scouts wanted to see from Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley during @seniorbowl week was him running a full route tree. Safe to say he answered any questions.

And yes, we put Corley in jersey #81 because @AnquanBoldin is our comp. Cool perk of the job.

You… pic.twitter.com/APpetAI6QT

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 19, 2024

While anticipation soared for Corley’s performance at the NFL Combine, he, unfortunately, was unable to measure or test at the event. Unconfirmed rumors suggest he fell ill before the start, forcing him to withdraw. Due to this, we do not currently have a concise 40 time to utilize, but he is estimated to run it in the 4.45-4.55 range. While this setback may not significantly impact his draft stock, missing the opportunity to address concerns and perform on a bigger stage is unfortunate. Despite this, the talented wide receiver will aim to showcase his diverse skill set at his Pro Day.

What’s on Tape

1. The YAC King

When a player goes by the nickname “the YAC King” it should signify exceptional skill in gaining yards after the catch, and Corley lives up to this distinction. Impressively, he has amassed over 2,000 yards after the catch in his career, with 2,082 out of his 2,990 career yards coming from such plays (69.6%). Furthermore, his remarkable elusiveness is evident in forcing 69 (nice) missed tackles throughout his career. NFL teams highly appreciate players who consistently move the sticks and secure numerous first downs, a category in which Corley excels.

2. Physical Runner

Observing Corley on the football field mirrors the dynamism of a pinball ricocheting within a machine. His physique portrays a compact ball of muscle, and he uses his impressive build to bully any defender who attempts to stop him from reaching the end zone. His innate physicality with the ball in his hands is complemented by impressive body control and contact balance. Evading initial contact is a forte for Corley, often demanding an entire field of defenders to bring him down. Rather than merely sidestepping tackles, he bulldozes through defenders, actively seeking contact. This affinity for physicality not only benefits him with the ball in his hands but will position him for a natural advantage in blocking at the next level.

3. Strong Hands

Corley’s collegiate career has showcased a commendable display of reliable hands, with a drop rate of less than 8% out of the 350+ targets directed at him. His catching prowess has been consistently impressive, boasting a 71% catch rate in both 2021 and 2022, followed by a still commendable 68% in 2023. Across his time at Western Kentucky, Corley tallied a mere 13 drops on 361 targets, highlighting his remarkable consistency in securing receptions.  

4. Unique Versatility/Manufactured Touches

Few wide receivers in the 2024 class experienced the diverse utilization that Corley did throughout his collegiate career. His multifaceted talent extends beyond traditional wide receiver roles. This unique versatility allowed the team to deploy him strategically across the field, whether lining up in the backfield, executing pre-snap motions, or showcasing success lining up in the slot and out wide. As a versatile, do-it-all weapon, Corley proves too dangerous to keep off of the field. A controversial aspect of his game is that 42.6% of his total receptions were derived from screen targets in 2023. While this raises a slight red flag in his profile, it also underscores his effectiveness in this particular area. In this season, he also secured the second-highest receiving yards on screen passes in college football with 330, while receiving the most screen targets in the entire class at 49.

5. Deep Target/Ball Tracking Ability

Despite facing height limitations, Corley has proven to be a reliable deep-ball target, securing more than 50% of passes thrown to him covering distances over 20 yards. However, this aspect of his game is under intense scrutiny, particularly considering his remarkably low aDOT of 6.4 for his career, which further decreased to 5.8 in his final year at Western Kentucky. Nevertheless, Corley exhibits all the attributes necessary to thrive as a deep-ball receiver if given a more prominent role to utilize his potential. His exceptional speed, precise body control, and adept ball tracking, coupled with the ability to high point the ball, position him as a formidable candidate for excelling in this particular facet of the game.

What’s Not on Tape

1. Diverse Route Tree

Given his extensive involvement in screen passes, Corley had limited opportunities to showcase a diverse route tree in college. In 2023, he predominantly lined up in the slot for 324 snaps, with only 51 snaps out wide. The nature of Western Kentucky’s air-raid offense, prioritizing screen passes early and often, contributed to the infrequent display of an expanded route tree, evident in his remarkably low aDOT. An encouraging aspect of his route running is his adept use of tempo to initiate routes, creating sufficient separation when necessary. Corley also exhibits the ability to execute cuts without sacrificing momentum, displaying impressive acceleration as he enters routes. While initial concerns about slightly choppy and unpolished footwork surfaced during tape analysis, these were mostly dispelled by his notable performance at the senior bowl, reassuring any doubts about his technical proficiency.

2. Contested Catches

Corley could significantly enhance his game by improving his success in contested catches. Throughout his collegiate career, he secured only 14 of 49 opportunities (28.6%), a statistic that is most likely influenced by his limited height. Despite being physically dominant in most situations, Corley’s performance in this area has not matched his perceived potential. It is safe to say that he is significantly more dominant with the ball in his hands than when trying to fight for the ball in contested situations. 

3. Success Against Top Competition

While scrutiny for the level of competition is customary for prospects emerging from smaller programs like Corley, it is equally crucial not to overreact to this completely. Despite this, his impressive performance against Ohio State in 2023, with eight receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, highlights his potential against higher-tier opponents. Notable NFL talents, including Brett Favre, LaDainian Tomlinson, Randy Moss, and Chris Johnson, have successfully transitioned from smaller programs within Conference USA, further emphasizing that talent can indeed emerge from such collegiate backgrounds. As for Corley, predicting if he will be the next superstar from the conference is premature, but dismissing him solely based on his program would be unjust.

Fantasy Outlook

The fantasy and dynasty outlook for Corley holds various possibilities at the moment. Currently, the valuation of his fantasy potential relies on his tape and production profile, but the ultimate trajectory will be shaped by how his future NFL coach harnesses and utilizes his unique skill set. While it may be too assertive to predict Corley evolving into a player of Deebo Samuel‘s caliber, it is crucial for him to land in a similar system that can maximize his abilities for substantial fantasy value. Instances of similar college-dominant players like Laviska Shenault or Amari Rodgers struggling to replicate their success in the NFL caution against presumptions. However, I firmly believe that Corley surpasses both as a prospect, possessing a more well-rounded game that remains untapped.

Given his comparisons to Samuel, it could prove advantageous for a team within Mike Shanahan’s coaching tree to select Corley on draft day. Potential landing spots within this coaching lineage include the Atlanta Falcons (Raheem Morris), Green Bay Packers (Matt LaFleur), Houston Texans (DeMeco Ryans), Los Angeles Rams (Sean McVay), Miami Dolphins (Mike McDaniel), or the San Francisco 49ers (Kyle Shanahan). As of now, Corley appears to be on track for a day two pick in the NFL draft, and the hope is that he maintains this momentum heading into April.

There is potential for a team to recognize Corley’s unique skill set and aim to provide the necessary volume for him to thrive in fantasy football. With ample targets in an offense, I am confident he could evolve into a PPR monster, particularly when utilized from the slot. On the flip side, he might be drafted by a team intending to deploy him primarily for special teams and as a gadget player similar to KaVontae Turpin with the Dallas Cowboys. While this role carries importance for the majority of NFL teams, its impact on his fantasy value would be insufficient to make a significant difference.

Corley stands out as one of the most captivating players to evaluate in this year’s wide receiver class. Despite the red flags and uncertainties in his profile, I currently consider him a top-10 talent in this class. I approach this ranking with a degree of caution, acknowledging the unknown sentiments of the NFL towards him due to his unique attributes. Given his immense potential, I view him as a substantial value in the third round of SuperFlex rookie drafts, and I would definitely consider him in the second round if he secures adequate draft capital. Few players garner my personal hope for success more than Corley, and it rests on his shoulders to demonstrate that “the YAC King” can indeed ascend to dominate in the NFL.