Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Malachi Corley

Saturday, February 22, 12:03 PM

The Athletic's Chad Graff suggests that it could be time for the New England Patriots to move on from wide receiver Kendrick Bourne this offseason, even if he's their top player at their biggest position of need. Bourne missed the start of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn right ACL and caught only 28 passes on 38 targets for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (nine starts) once he returned. With a new coaching regime in town, the Patriots could move on from Bourne, who will be heading into his age-30 season in 2025. New England would save $4.9 million in salary cap space if they cut him before June 1 or $6.3 million if they cut him with a post-June 1 designation. Bourne is under contract with the Patriots through the 2026 season, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see this rebuilding organization go in another direction as they completely rebuild their receiving corps.

Wednesday, June 4, 3:24 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley was a third-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky, and former general manager Joe Douglas notably traded up to select him. However, the 23-year-old appeared in just nine games last season, catching three of his six targets for 16 yards. He notably let go of the football before crossing the plane of the end zone against the Houston Texans in primetime and did not have much of a role in Aaron Rodgers' offense thereafter. According to Nick Faria of Jets X-Factor, Corley could face an uphill battle to earn playing time. "The problem with Corley is that all of his tape comes from college," Faria wrote. "He's still a very raw prospect, and New York's new regime has no loyalty to him as a player. He has to earn every bit of playing time he could receive." Despite the lack of high-end pass-catchers behind Garrett Wilson, it sounds like Corley has not impressed thus far this offseason. He remains off the fantasy football radar in traditionally fantasy leagues until further notice.