This is not what Malachi Coley envisioned during his rookie season.
Not even close.
The Jets receiver was drafted in the third round and was honest about his tough first year in the NFL.
He certainly didn't see it coming and is still processing what went wrong to bring him to this unwanted place in an almost forgotten realm.
“It doesn't make anybody happy, that's all,” Coley told the Post after Thursday's practice. “As a newbie, you have to be compensated accordingly. When you get an opportunity, you take advantage of it. It's all about staying calm, keeping your head down, chopping wood and carrying water. It's about striving to get better and learning as much as possible through the process.”
Coley did not play in the Jets' 32-26 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday in Miami.
This is the fourth time this year that Corey has missed a game despite being healthy.
He was inactive from Weeks 5 through 7, and although he was active, he did not play in Week 4, when the Jets lost to the Broncos.
It's especially noteworthy that Corey was a healthy scratch in his last game.
He just played a season-high 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps in the Jets' Week 12 loss to the Seahawks.
But he couldn't take advantage of it and recorded no catches on just one target.
Corey gained 8 yards on one rush.
Allen Lazard returned from Sunday's loss after coming off injured reserve and missing the past five games.
With Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, and Lazard all healthy, there's little room left for Corey, and the Jets typically have Irv Charles and Xavier Gipson (who is more adept on special teams than Corey) They have chosen to use him as a receiver on game day. It is necessary.
But Charles is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, which could open up an opportunity for Corey to suit up again.
“Honestly, everything will work out in God's time,” Corey said. “A person is in a certain position for a certain reason, and there are seasons in life. And through them you have to learn as much as possible. This is an unfamiliar position for myself. Whether it's playing running back on the scout team or getting ready to play nickel, just do whatever you can to help your team win. [cornerback] Take run blocking reps if you need to, whatever it is. ”
This season, Corey has three catches for 16 yards and two carries for 26 yards, playing just 83 total snaps on offense.
He was drafted as a promising playmaker with the ball in his hands, but was actually demoted to the scout team.
“I can't let external circumstances dictate how I run my business,” Corey said. “You just have to be ready for when the opportunity comes. Proper preparation prevents a drop in performance. Just take it day by day as if you're a player, as if you're a starter.” Just attack.”
Corey's most memorable moment this season was a brutal gaffe.
During the team's Week 9 game against the Texans, Corey thought he had scored on a 19-yard end-around rush, but dropped the ball just before the end zone while celebrating early.
The ball rolled out of the end zone for a touchback, and Corey was then the subject of relentless ridicule.
For Corey, there was little reason to be optimistic heading into his lost first year.
“I am who I say I am,” Corey said. “I have 100 percent confidence that whenever I get a chance, I can grow in it. I’m just working hard right now, so I hope next year I get a bigger role and a bigger opportunity.”
