Malachi Corley Moves the Chains

Western Kentucky wide receiver (WR) Malachi Corely has shown for three straight seasons he can be productive.

There’s something to be said for that.

(2021) 73 receptions on 103 targets for a 71% catch rate, 691 yards (9.5 avg) and 7 touchdowns.

(2022) 101 receptions on 142 targets for a 71% catch rate, 1,293 yards (12.8 avg) and 11 touchdowns.

(2023) 69 receptions on 101 targets for a 68% catch rate, 906 yards (13.1 avg) and 10 touchdowns.

Notice, each season, his average per catch has also gone up and that stands to reason. Corley has a thick and muscular equally distributed frame and he is a physical receiver. Let me re-word that. He bulldozes defenders.

This is a receiver who will excel at picking up first downs in the NFL.

Big-time short-range threat

While Corley has shown he’s a smooth receiver who can find soft spots in coverage downfield and even sneak behind a secondary, he excels short-range with the bubble screens and short routes.

From there he is tough to bring down.

This Western Kentucky receiver has proven to be a handful for defensive backs to contend with because he’s a strong and determined runner after the catch. It’s not uncommon to see Corley make the first man miss and pick up additional yardage after the catch.

I can see him being a real chain mover in the NFL. That’s his greatest value on game film. I can see him more in the mold of Lions’ WR Amon Ra-St. Brown (fourth-round in his rookie season (who I was too low on) who caught 90 passes his rookie season.

Corley is one of these ultimate safety valve receivers.

Deebo Samuel 2.0?

The Hilltoppers have moved Corley around. Sometimes they motion him pre-snap and at other times he will line up in the backfield and take a handoff or take a pitch on an end around.

This is why Corley is drawing comparisons to the 49ers’ Mr. Everything, Deebo Samuel (who I love). I am not going that far with Corley. However, I do believe that he can be a strong utility player in the NFL.

He also flashes burst and acceleration.

What are the negatives?

For starters, Western Kentucky plays at a lesser level of college competition in “Conference USA.” No disrespect intended, but If you look at the teams Corley and the Hilltoppers have played against this season, you’ll see what I mean. The level of competition is part of the scouting equation.

Next, Corley plays at two different gears of speed.

I’m also not impressed by Corley on contested catch situations further downfield. He often lost and these routes didn’t look crisp.

And his hands…

Decent, but not great.

Where will Corley end up?

Given the fact he is built the way he is built and excels in the areas he excels in, I would not be surprised to see teams with coaches from Mike Shanahan’s coaching tree have a strong interest in Corley.

This would include the 49ers (Kyle Shanahan), Dolphins (Mike McDaniel), Texans (DeMeco Ryans), Packers (Matt LaFleur), or the Rams (Sean McVay).

#11 Malachi Corley 5-foot-11, 210 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 10.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 22, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): FAU, Troy, Austin Peay, UTSA, and South Alabama (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: (Pro Football Focus) YAC king: Corley’s 975 yards after the catch in 2022 were 292 more than the next-closest FBS receiver.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A stocky-built receiver who is tough to bring down. Above average balance. Strong. Long arms. Can struggle to gain separation intermediate to deep, but does show the athletic ability to make a crisp change of direction breaking off routes. Average longer-range playing speed. Makes nice adjustments back to the ball when not contested. Willing and a decent blocker.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Yards after the catch production?

2. How does he look intermediate-to-deep?

3. Contested catches downfield?

4. Dependable hands?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.