Rodgers: Jets' 3rd-round pick Corley was 'my favorite receiver in the draft'

A record seven wide receivers were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Aaron Rodgers says the New York Jets landed his top wideout of the class in Round 3.

"Malachi (Corley) was my favorite receiver in the draft," Rodgers recently said in an interview with the "Official Jets Podcast."

"Now, he might not have been the best on paper in the draft, but I really felt like he was going to fit in with what we're trying to do - his mindset, his ferocity."

The Jets traded up to take Corley early in the third round at No. 65 as the 12th wide receiver off the board. The former Western Kentucky star caught 259 passes for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns in his career with the Hilltoppers and earned first-team All-Conference USA nods in his final two college seasons. Considered a solid yards-after-catch weapon, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound was the 14th prospect at his position in 2024, according to theScore's rankings.

This year's draft tied the 2004 event for the most wide receivers selected in the opening round. The 2024 draft also saw three wideouts going in the top 10:

The Jets - who didn't have a second-round pick last month after trading for Rodgers during the 2023 offseason - used their first 2024 selection to take offensive tackle Olu Fashanu 11th overall. New York also drafted a pair of running backs, picking Braelon Allen in the fourth round and Isaiah Davis in the fifth.

"I love what (general manager) Joe (Douglas) has done, I love who we brought in," Rodgers said.

Douglas and Co. also had a busy free agency, adding receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Tyron Smith, among others. Williams and Corley are joining a wide receiver depth chart headlined by 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.