Cleveland Browns WR Malchi Corley has "bad intentions on my mind" as he prepares to face the team that drafted him a little over a year ago, then waived him this summer
It's rare that a team gives up on a third round pick one year into their NFL career.
Wide Receiver Malachi Corley is an anomaly in that regard. The Western Kentucky product entered the NFL with a lot of hype. Crowned the "YAC King" Corley rose up draft boards during pre-draft process and ultimately landed with the New York Jets as a third rounder in the 2024 draft.
An inconsistent rookie campaign followed, though. Corley played in nine games, but was targeted only six times, catching three passes for 16 yards, while adding two carries for 26 yards on the ground. A mid-season firing of head coach Robert Saleh didn't help matters. It also left Corley in limbo heading into the 2025 season as the Jets made an entire regime change.
In late August, he was waived as part of the team's end of training camp roster cuts. One day later, though, a Cleveland Browns team desperate for wide receiver talent signed him to their practice squad.
It was a reality check about life in the NFL.
"First of all, just to rely on my relationship with God," Corley said of his unique NFL journey. "Not to lean on my own understanding, but lean on his understanding that wherever I am is where I'm meant to be. You realize that like a lot of things are more so about circumstances and situations. You know, it's not always in your opinion the best guy plays and stuff like that. Sometimes it's just, the coaching staff trust in a player or like I said, just being in the right situation, right fit."
Corley seems to fit just fine with in Cleveland, where he's carved out a small but impactful role with the Browns. It started in London, against the Vikings in Week 5, after being promoted to the 53-man roster in late September. Kevin Stefanski tapped into Corley's unique skillet by getting him the ball on an end-around that he broke-off for 11 yards.
In the weeks since, Corley has seen an increased work load on offense and special teams. Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, the 23-year-old saw his highest snap count of the season, playing 13 plays on offense and hauling in two passes for 17 yards.
One week later against New England, he appeared in just four plays on offense, but his one touch turned into a big gain on an impressive end around play where he put his foot in the ground and cut up field, going left, for 31 yards. He also earned a season-high six special teams snaps in that game, fielding five kickoffs for 112 yards.
The Browns have found a suitable niche for Corley early on. For him, he just appreciates the opportunity to prove himself – something he didn't necessarily get in New York last year.
"Just being able to go out there and just every day, just out-efforting guys and just showing what I can really do," he said of his role in Cleveland. "Going out there and trying to be a leader without my words, but trying to set the pace for my team and everything like that. And ultimately, just as I'm continuing to build and build and show them and give them more trust and confidence in me, you know, the role is just kind of starting to improve and increase."
Culturally, the Browns have also been a great fit. Even as the team is in the midst of a 2-6 season, there are strong family dynamics that Corley has felt ever since he walked into the team facility in Berea.
"It's really tight [here]," he said. "It's a nice building where kind of like, everyone's office is open. You kind of get around everybody all the time, even, like, when the media is in here. Not too many places to run or anything like that. So you have a conversation with the media, you have conversation with your teammates, coaches, staff, and equipment walking through here and stuff like that. So you really become like a family around here."
Finally finding comfort during the early stages of his NFL journey is a relief. But it doesn't mean Corley is totally satisfied either. Simply being the "end-around" guy in the Browns offense isn't enough. He's hungry for even more.
"I want to be the best," Corley said. "Be the best at what I do for as long as I can do it. I have a unique skill set and unique physical attributes that I feel I can really, really separate me in this league ... Leaning into not just being a gadget guy or a dude that's great with the ball in his hands, but being a complete and full receiver. [At] the end of this thing is to be a continuous pro bowler, to get to that."
There's a pragmatism to his desires, though, too. At the end of the day, it's all about earning respect.
"Hall of Fame isn't really what I'm shooting for," he said. "But when it's all said and done, everyone respects my game, respects who I am as a player, how I came to work and that as much as [I'm] good with the ball in my hands, he'll also come smacking your face blocking and stuff like that. So, never been too good for doing the little things on the field.
As fate would have it, Corley crosses paths with his former team on Sunday when the Browns visit Metlife Stadium. While some may downplay the notion of any extra motivation for a matchup against an old team that, in Corley's case, gave up on him after just one season, he couldn't.
"Ton of emotions going behind it," Corley admitted. "I got nothing but bad intentions on my mind. So, going into that game, I feel a lot of fire behind myself and, you know, just ready for the opportunity."
One team's trash, can be another team's treasure. There's a lot of untapped potential with a player as young and as unique as Corley. Too much to be cast away so soon in his career. It's all part of the ride, though. Just a year and a half into his, he's already learned a lot.
"Stay down and stay humble and work hard," Corley said of what he's learned during his short time in the NFL. "Don't let anyone deter your name or anything like that, but to continue to just press on and do exactly what you've been designed to do."