Bucs Going To Draft A Rams-Like Receiver?
April 3rd, 2024
If the Bucs under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen are going to run a Sean McVay offense, then they may as well look for Rams-like receivers.
It seems McVay likes smallish receivers and sure knows how to get the most out of them. Between Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, the Rams don’t have giant receivers. They may be taller than you think but they are slight of build.
Enter Malachi Corley. The Western Kentucky receiver is expected to be one of the Bucs’ official 30 visits per @MLFootball.
This Corley is only 5-10 but weighs 215. Yeah, he is from a small school but Emory Hunt, the Czar of the Playbook, has Corley rated as his No. 2 slot receiver in the draft as Hunt detailed in his 2024 Football Gameplan Draft Guide.
Strengths:
– Compactly-built player who turns into a running back with the ball in his hands. Very explosive burst, which generates the power that helps him break tackles.
– Twitchy start and burst that helps him create separation deeper downfield and also on low crossers/drag routes.
– Impressive week at the Senior Bowl, showcasing his physicality vs bigger defensive backs.
– Has the skills and traits to be a high-level RAC player as a pro.Areas of Improvement:
– Could even see time as an outside receiver if he continues to work on playing through contact within the route better than he currently does.
– He already has the strength. Needs to use it to be more violent with his hands within the route.
If a player dominated in practices the week of the Senior Bowl, then he certainly is on the radar of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
WalterFootball.com believes Corley’s ceiling is a second-day pick in the third round. Given how stacked this receiver class is, a third-round pick would normally be a second-round pick in just about any other year. JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan dove into Corley’s sleeper status this week.
With Mike Evans only signed for two more seasons and Chris Godwin entering the final year of his contract, Joe would not be shocked if the Bucs draft a receiver early.
You can tell in the video below this Corley is not one bit afraid of contact. In fact, it appears he enjoys running over defensive backs. That’s Joe’s kinda receiver.
Malachi Corley is such a tough, bouncy player. Guy refuses to go down.
(I see the size/athletic comps to Deebo, but I refuse to compare any player to Deebo. I prefer @DannyBKelly's Mega Wan'Dale Robinson.) pic.twitter.com/rrZIiqDgOq
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) April 1, 2024
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:05 am
After doing some research on the draft I think Chop Robinson would be a slam dunk pick for us. I’m convinced he will be the next Khalil Mack and putting him on our D Line with YaYa Kancey and Vita would seemingly be an absolute nightmare for opposing olines. Tell me I’m wrong
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:11 am
Meh. Belonzo Chagranting is faster than this dude, built about the same, his small school pedigree has him off most radars. What we don’t need is another Jaelon Dardung.
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:20 am
At least Khalil Mack put up numbers.
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:21 am
Which play in that video reminded you of Jaelon Darden?
Darden tried to run away from people as in if the field was 80 yards wide would have tried to stretch his returns 80 yards wide, then run out of bounds.
This guy runs at and through people, not away.
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:26 am
Joe, not saying Malachi is a Darden. Just saying we don’t need another one.
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:56 am
Mercy, there’s exactly nothing in Chop Robinson’s game that reminds anyone of Mack. Mack was the collegiate leader in tackles for loss. I believe. Built like a tank. And fast. Better pro than college player. That’s perhaps the only area where they might be similar if Robinson amounts to anything. The most positive potential comp I have with Robinson is Danielle Hunter. Terrible production in college. Much better pro.
April 3rd, 2024 at 1:15 am
Cooper Kupp is 6’2 and pretty well put together. Not sure why Joe is referring to him as smallish. I wonder if Joe thinks facts are for losers?
April 3rd, 2024 at 1:17 am
Also @Joe, Cooper Kupp repped 225 16 times at the combine.
April 3rd, 2024 at 1:27 am
“You don’t pump weights on the 50-yard line.”
— Warren Sapp.
April 3rd, 2024 at 1:35 am
Nope, you don’t pump weights on the 50 yard line. You pump them during the off season. Aaron Donald is the modern version of Sapp. Paid attention to his physique and fitness , and optimized his game.
April 3rd, 2024 at 2:50 am
What is wrong with Ricky Pearsall? Steelers are looking at him in the 2md rd though. We maybe should wait until the Third to get a WR.
April 3rd, 2024 at 2:51 am
Wow Joe, just, Wow.
I should just stop commenting maybe?
April 3rd, 2024 at 3:21 am
Making less and less sense … which is helping things make more and more sense.
There are some great looking WRs in this draft. We all know Godwin’s contract is up next year. And we all know we need another WR regardless. But not in the 1st Rd this year. Would love to have one …
But we need a key piece of our Oline before any other offensive piece. Can not understand how it seems cool to run with the linemen we got and draft a #1 WR when we have the 2 studs we already have. Sick and tired of suggesting the Bucs do this and that and ignore their priority needs. We need a top C over a top WR. Take a WR in the 3rd. Draft the Oline high for superior quality. The Bucs have no business drafting a WR or CB in Rd1 before our IOL is fixed. Sounds like one Joe has a #70 Jersey and the other I don’t even know anymore lol.
..
Bucs need to go C in Rd1, or somehow Edge. And The other in Rd2. Period. This isn’t rocket science .. sheesh
…
Bucs are set to win now, not draft for future. A CB would take some time to develop. And we have 13 and 14. Palmer is set as #3 or #4. So draft our #4, not in Rd1.
Have nothing personally against Hainsey, but he is not a starter and will not take us qhere we need to go. Should draft this year same as we did last SuperBowl win. 2 Top needs first and nail them. Not take a G in 4th that’ll take 2+ years to develop or an avg C. No need to make this complicated.
#1 C
#2 Edge2
#3 RB2
#3 WR4
Goal is to get a top player at positions with most glaring holes.
If the Bucs don’t fix their C, get an Edge2, a RB2, and THEN focus on another WR .. ain’t gonna be no SuperBowl. From there all they need is a backup S late. Draft a TE somewhere and hope for the best on him. If Otton hadn’t started to emerge TE would be a priority. I think TE2 is our 5th biggest need. No CB or WR in Rd 1. We have 6 and 4 of those locked in smh. Swear this Joe got a Hainsey poster
April 3rd, 2024 at 3:59 am
No Mercy Says:
April 3rd, 2024 at 12:05 am
After doing some research on the draft I think Chop Robinson would be a slam dunk pick for us. I’m convinced he will be the next Khalil Mack and putting him on our D Line with YaYa Kancey and Vita would seemingly be an absolute nightmare for opposing olines. Tell me I’m wrong
^^^^^^^^^
Chop Robinson has had 2 sacks, 5.5 sacks, and 4 sacks in COLLEGE (most . To put that in perspective, JTS has had 13 sacks to Chop’s 11.5, and JTS has done it in the NFL. So no, Chop isn’t the next Khalil Mack until he actually does something.
April 3rd, 2024 at 4:00 am
(Most by the lowest level of competition, from what I’ve read).
April 3rd, 2024 at 4:03 am
Joe didn’t say Malachi Corley was a 1st round choice. He actually said 3rd round.
Would love this guy in the 3rd round. His route running looked good too.
Dave Pear you are only amusing yourself with your name pronunciations. Sounds like my 14 year old.
I think if you want a true Cooper Cupp kinda guy, Ricky Pearsall is the closest I have seen. Now that’s a guy I can see you have fun with the name for obvious reasons. And not every small receiver is Darden. Some are Hill.
What Corley lacks in speed, he makes up for in broken tackles. He is exactly opposite of Darden and even Thompkins.
April 3rd, 2024 at 4:27 am
Corley might also be perfect for the new kick off rule with his tackle breaking ability. The only part I wish they would change is getting the ball at the 35 or even 40 for kicks through the endzone. I think teams will still be ok kicking it deep and setting up shop on the 30.
April 3rd, 2024 at 5:59 am
Chop Robinson College Career – 3 seasons:
11.5 sacks. 43 tackles. 20 tackles for loss.
Not sure why someone would compare him to Khalil Mack.
In his 4 seasons:
28.5 sacks. 185 tackles. 74 tackles for loss.
People are excited about Chop Robinson’s 40 time but where is his actual production.
He seems more Mike Mamula than Khalil Mack.
Remember Mike Mamula. He is the reason the Bucs got Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks in 1995. Thank goodness the Eagles wanted a workout warrior instead of a football player.
April 3rd, 2024 at 6:05 am
Agree with Simeon4HoF.
On Corley, take him in the 3rd and nor before C and Edge
April 3rd, 2024 at 6:22 am
I didn’t know much about Malachi Corley. Thank you for the clip and info. Says a lot about small schools with solid players. Khalil Mack went to University of Buffalo, SUNY. Hidden gems.
April 3rd, 2024 at 6:30 am
Looks like he’d make a hell of a kick returner in this new style return game.
April 3rd, 2024 at 6:50 am
I could see us trading back at least once to obtain an extra pick in rds 2 or 3.
April 3rd, 2024 at 6:58 am
Joe wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs drafted a receiver. Joe I’d be shocked if they don’t! I wouldn’t even be shocked if that pick was in the first round.
April 3rd, 2024 at 7:34 am
Steve Smith was 5’9″ 200lbs and drafted in the third round. Wouldn’t mind if he was similar in style and attitude. Smith would dominate both mentally and physically.
April 3rd, 2024 at 7:53 am
Wood-inducing.
April 3rd, 2024 at 8:02 am
I like Corely, he was their whole offense basically. Usually always the best player on the field. He did pretty good against Ohio also when he went up against better talent. Wouldn’t pick him the 1st but depending who’s there in the 2nd or 3rd I would.
April 3rd, 2024 at 8:26 am
He is a homerun pick in the third.
April 3rd, 2024 at 8:27 am
Please no chop, he is JTS 2.0.
April 3rd, 2024 at 8:27 am
Great article……as a 3rd round pick….this guy makes sense.
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:05 am
Chop Robinson isn’t even JTS. If he can’t make it happen in college, because he can run a 40, people suddenly think he’s The Man?!
Wow. People love his nickname. That’s all he’s got.
I’d rather Shangrus Piltz from Northwood.
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:06 am
the thing about chop robinson is he has a “cool” name…
and with some, that goes a long way…
hopefully not in bucsville tho…
yeah 3rd round…yeah…
first round…big nahhh
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:10 am
if we go 3rd or 4th with a wr, which i mention in my pop up position mockeroonies, that always include tommy b and purdy………
i would grab this guy…seems legit right around there
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:26 am
Just judging by our history developing edge rushers (especially recent history), I do not think Chop would flourish here. Of the limited “sure bets,” Latu is the one I would hang my hat on for this team in the 1st round. He has technique already.
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:44 am
I like Ricky Pearsall if we can get him in the third round. Really smart football guy, great hands, and runs really good routes and he’s got speed.
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:47 am
Drop Robinson. Draft a true RB1 who won’t be 50th in the league in YAC. A WR can wait a year after moving White to slot this year.
April 3rd, 2024 at 11:06 am
I usually like bigger WRs but this guy is special. He was somewhat of a sleeper pick back in Dec. Now everyone is talking about him. I’ve seen him mocked to go in the late 1st round. I thought he’d be a great 3rd round guy for the Bucs awhile back but now I don’t think he’d last to pick 56. He will go early to mid 2nd round. The Bucs would need to trade up in the 2nd to get him. I don’t see that happening.
April 3rd, 2024 at 11:30 am
What are you talking about? Puca and Cooper are each 6’2” 205lbs. That’s not small. They both sport a pretty large catch radius. This is middle school morning announcements level analysis.
April 3rd, 2024 at 11:41 am
That would be a Kupp clone, i.e. Ladd McConkey.
April 3rd, 2024 at 11:42 am
Both Ncua and Kupp are in the mold of a Chris Godwin.
April 3rd, 2024 at 11:48 am
He may have ended up at Western (KY), but I’m pretty sure that he originally signed with Ohio State out of high school. They were already SO LOADED there, that he just decided to go where he could PLAY, & Western runs that ‘high octane’ tempo-offense!!!!
April 3rd, 2024 at 9:13 pm
What simeon said.
WE NEED IOL . Bucs were top 10 in sacks last year . They were also historically bad at running the ball. What Baker did last year was nothing short of amazing with one of the worst running games in NFL history. Run the ball = rest your defense , opens your passing game and makes you more than one dimensional . Yes getting a great edge rusher would be great but the odds are you have a WAAAY better chance at a 8 – 10 year starter at O-line than at pass rush at 26th in the draft .
April 4th, 2024 at 12:45 am
Look at this another way guys.
They can get a starting iOL in the 2nd & 3rd this year.
They upgraded depth, competition with Opeta & Bredeson so if they realize in TC that a 3rd round iOL wasn’t quite ready, you don’t have to force start them, you can give them a year to develop.
That would leave rounds 1 & 2 (or 3) for a WR & Edge.
IOW, you pick a WR, Edge & iOL with your first 3 picks and with the other 3rd you pick up a RB or TE
^^mtn^^
Since ’76