Is Brutal NFL Reality Poised To Hit Jets Receiver?

The NFL is a harsh business, and it appears that many players fall and are out of the league before they are even given a proper chance. For New York Jets receiver Malachi Corley, he's facing a big training camp.

Coming to the Jets last year as a third-round pick, the "YAC King" came with some fanfare, but that never materialized into anything substantial, catching three balls for 16 yards (and that infamous goal line drop as he was destined to score his first NFL touchdown) from just 83 offensive snaps.

And for The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt, Corley might be fighting against the tide to stay on the roster at training camp.

"WR Malachi Corley: It would be a tough look if the Jets moved on from a third-round pick after one year, but this regime did not draft him, and it didn’t hide its disappointment in his lack of availability during the spring," Rosenblatt wrote. "Corley needs to show some maturity fast, stay on the field and make progress as a route runner while also contributing on special teams. The talent is obvious and he brings a unique skill set, but nothing is guaranteed for him."

If Corley was moved on, it would signal that this Jets organization doesn't view Corley the same as the previous administration.

Given the current state of the Jets receiver room, which has just Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Josh Reynolds as the big three, and then nothing behind them, there are spots up for grabs if players are good enough.

Corley, along with Xavier Gipson, Tyler Johnson, and Arian Smith, will all be vying for snaps on Tanner Engstrand's offense, and if the "YAC King" can't show enough in the opening few weeks of camp, then who knows what the future will hold.

But one thing is for sure: it is already gut-check time for Corley's NFL career.