That’s a rookie mistake that is going to stick with Malachi Corley.
The first-year receiver out of Western Kentucky dropped the ball as part of a celebration just before entered the end zone on what would’ve been a 20-yard touchdown run on a reverse.
Instead of a 7-0 Jets lead and the first score of his career, it went down as a 19-yard run and a turnover in the slump-busting, 21-10 victory Thursday night over the Texans at MetLife Stadium.
Thinking he had already crossed the goal line, Corley dropped the ball intentionally.
Following a replay review, it was ruled a fumble, and declared a touchback with the ball given to the Texans.
“Definitely frustrated to be honest — and angry at the same time,’’ interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “But what an amazing opportunity for this kid to grow and learn from. I promise you, 10 years from now when he’s still playing in this league, that will never happen again.’’
Ulbrich told Corley: “First of all, you can’t do that.’’
Corley wasn’t made available to reporters afterward.
It added to what has been a rough start to Corley’s NFL career.
He was active only because Allen Lazard was out with a chest injury.
This would’ve been the third-round draft pick’s biggest play as a Jet, by far.
Instead, it was another gaffe in a Jets season full of undisciplined mistakes.
A similar thing nearly happened to Kyle Pitts of the Falcons at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Fortunately for him, it was ruled he dropped the ball just after crossing the goal line.
Corley wasn’t as lucky.
The play was just his second touch of the year.
He had one reception for 4 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots.
This was his fifth game as an active player.
After taking Corley 65th overall in April, the Jets raved about his potential.
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Recruited as a cornerback out of high school, he became a star for Western Kentucky, catching 29 touchdown passes his last three seasons while hauling in 253 receptions for 2,968 yards.
The Jets moved up seven spots in the third round to take him.
Corley had the nickname “YAC King” — as in yards after catch — in college.
At the time of the pick, general manager Joe Douglas said, “We’re juiced, man.”
Obviously, very little had gone according to plan for the Jets until Thursday’s victory.
Head coach Robert Saleh was fired a few weeks ago.
Aaron Rodgers had been a shell of himself until the second half against the Texans.
There were high hopes for Corley to be a rookie contributor, and those haven’t panned out.
He blew a big opportunity Thursday night.
