Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: Malachi Corley Could Add Deebo Samuel-Type Element to Offense

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Colts had a heavy presence today at the pro day of a player who's compared to Debo Samuel. How did he do and how likely is it that he becomes a Colt? Let's get to it. You are locked on Colts. Your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. All right, what's up everybody?

Starting point is 00:00:41 Thanks for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And today's show is brought to you by FanDuel. Make every moment more. Right now, new customers, you guys get $200 in bonus bets with any winning $5 bet. That is $200 if your bet wins. So visit FanDuel.com slash Locked On to get started. Again, what is up? Welcome to Locked On Colts. I am Jake Arthur of Horses visit Fandle.com slash Locked On to get started. Again, what is up?

Starting point is 00:01:11 Y'all welcome to Locked On Colts. I am Jake Arthur of HorseshoeHuddle.com. And today I was out at Western Kentucky's Pro Day featuring the star of the show, wide receiver Malachi Corley. Now this is a guy who has had a great pre-draft cycle. He went out and did really, really well at the Senior Bowl. He was named the North team's wide receiver of the week by his peers. And that comes directly from the defensive backs who are facing him all week. He was not able to participate at the combine. He was down under the weather with COVID, but he did measure there and everything. But he finally got to do his field workout and kind of show his stuff today down there in Bowling Green, Kentucky at Western

Starting point is 00:01:49 Kentucky University. And he had a really, really strong day. Didn't do the whole gamut of things, but he really didn't need to. Now, spinning this from a Colts perspective, from the pro days I've been to, most of them from the past couple of years, there's really only like one guy, one Colts representative in attendance, and it's usually an area scout. But today they had a few guys there. So they did have a scout in Joey Elliott, but they also had an offensive quality control coach in Brian Bratton, who specializes in coaching the wide receivers. And most importantly, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was there as well. So those three were in attendance to watch.

Starting point is 00:02:32 They also met with Corley after his pro day. Corley was very busy meeting with teams right after his pro day because, of course, he didn't get to do it here in Indianapolis during the combine. So very busy dude today after his workout. But measuring in at 5'11 and 215, the former running back, he still looks like it. He worked out without a shirt on today. I would have done the same thing. The dude is a unit. I have been around wide receivers hundreds of days over the last several years in locker rooms and stuff. And this guy is jack. If this guy is a receiver on your team, you know he's one tough dude.

Starting point is 00:03:13 It's very fitting that yards after catch and breaking tackles and things like that is his game because he definitely looks the part. But one concern people had about him because so much of what he has done at Western Kentucky has been really short stuff. They throw him the ball behind the line of scrimmage, at the line of scrimmage within five yards. The offense was formulated around him, get the ball in his hands quickly and just see what he can do. So he didn't really run the whole gamut of the route tree during his time playing collegiately. But he kind of squashed all that today at the workout. First and foremost was the 40.

Starting point is 00:03:54 A lot of people were wondering about that. You know, again, on film, because he wasn't out in the open field a ton, downfield, how fast is he really? I had him timed at a 4.45, and it seems like that was about the most downfield. How fast is he really? I had him timed at a 4-4-5, and it seems like that was about the most common time. I heard as low as 4-3-9, but 4-4-5 is really about what they kind of came out in the wash was his official unofficial time for today. So that's a great time for him. More to put him right in the mix with some of the better receivers. It's the same time Roma Dunze had at the combine. He also had 27 on the bench, which would have been number one among receivers at the combine by six,

Starting point is 00:04:34 had a 4-2-6 in the 20-yard short shuttle. That's not one that a lot of receivers ran, but it would have been in the bottom half, but it's really no big deal. During the field workout, so Austin Reed, his quarterback, is also in this coming draft as well. He's probably, you know, around six or seven, you know, priority free agent guy. Had a decent day. It was windy out there, so, you know, one of his strengths being his arm strength, you know, downfield throwing, you know, one of his strengths being his arm strength, you know, downfield throwing, you know, that was not as consistent for him as it probably would have been in an indoor facility

Starting point is 00:05:11 or something. Uh, but a decent day for both guys, nonetheless. So in that field workout, uh, Corley got 12 targets, uh, and there were 10 of them were completed. One of them was a drop. It was like a 15 yard dig over the middle, maybe a little behind him. He definitely should have caught it regardless. And then the other one, it was like a 30, 35 yard corner out along the right side. Just a touch overthrown for Corley. So that one wasn't on him. But largely, there weren't issues with his hands other than that one drop. He ran routes

Starting point is 00:05:47 all over the field from as short as five yards all the way up to 55. You know, he ran comebacks, outs, posts, slants, corners. He really did it all. Near the end of the workout, I talked to Austin Reed at the end of it. And he said that, you know, some teams specifically had some routes they wanted to see Corley run, and he did so. A representative of the Steelers kind of ran him through some things at the end as well. Steve Smith, legendary NFL receiver, formerly of the Panthers and the Ravens. He has kind of taken special interest in Corley during this draft cycle. I guess he did a nice YouTube thing. I haven't caught it yet, but he really broke down his game. Steve Smith was on site today and really imparted a lot of wisdom on Corley. Afterward, you're going to see this in a minute because I'll play you

Starting point is 00:06:34 our media session with Corley. He said that Steve Smith has been kind of a mentor to him. So that's nice to see because Steve Smith is another kind of sub six foot yak king type of player. And so that's someone that Corley could really try to emulate his game around. Like Steve Smith has an argument for the Hall of Fame. So again, not a bad guy to learn from. So really good day overall for Corley. I think he made himself some money, especially running a 40 under 4'5", having pretty decent hands in this one. There's still some concerns people are going to have, and we'll get to that at the end of the show.

Starting point is 00:07:16 But overall, pretty good day for Corley, especially, you know, from a Colts perspective. If you're someone that wants him on day two, I'm kind of feeling like that's a little more likely. Again, they had a few people watching him today. They met with him after the workout. But again, we'll get to that in a minute. We're going to get to our conversation with him shortly. And then I'll kind of, at the end of this whole thing, break down how he fits with the Colts, where they might want to take him, how realistic the whole thing is. So all that will be coming up in just a moment. Say goodbye to busted brackets because FanDuel lets you bet on every game of the tournament. Whether you're betting on a big upset

Starting point is 00:07:57 or a one seed, it's time to go dancing on America's number one sportsbook. Right now, new customers get $200 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. That's $200 to use on point spreads, money lines. You can even pick who's going to win it all already. Just visit Fandle.com slash LockedOn and bet on college hoops until they cut down the nets. All right, so enough of me yakking for a second. Let's go ahead and get to our conversation with Malachi Corley. All right, man, I just, you know, being back in Zolinger, back on the field, man, you know, how was it up there for you? It was amazing, you know, to have, I think, 30 of the NFL teams here.

Starting point is 00:08:36 A lot of, had some GMs here, assistant GMs here, had head coaches, OCs, receiver coaches here. It was an amazing environment to have the people that, you know, I started with being here for such a special day to really end it here. You know, my last show on the West Kentucky field was a great experience. Having my family here, not only my family, but my extended family as far as West Kentucky and all my teammates, a great environment to see Coach B and Coach Mizell

Starting point is 00:08:59 and see all the people that built this thing up with me here to finish it off with me. You mentioned starting and finishing here. What's that been like for you? Because that's not super common nowadays. Really, it's just been a great experience, man. Having that community and people that aren't just looking at me as an athlete but excited to see my growth as a human being has been something that's

Starting point is 00:09:18 extremely instrumental and special to my life, you know, living life with loyalty and bringing along the people that began the journey with you was extremely important to me and growing with those people and getting the best out of them so they can get the best out of you as well. Now throwing out there with Austin again, I mean your roommate, was that like just connected back with him? Yeah, it felt like old times, being out here on a Sunday night in the summertime, getting working together. It felt really simple out there and it feels like we was clicking on all cylinders.

Starting point is 00:09:47 So being able to share this last moment with him, because we don't know where our roads are going to go from here, was a really great experience, and I love that dude. He's my brother, and he's going to go on to do great things for himself. Without being able to participate at the Combine, you got this last on-field hurrah today. Have you accomplished what you wanted to? Absolutely. I think I put a really good showing out there today and I feel like a lot of people got to see parts of my game that they might not have been familiar with.

Starting point is 00:10:13 Missing the Combine was a big thing and a dream that a lot of players have for their careers, but being able to end it off at Western Kentucky where it all started was something that was extremely important to me and I think that bringing 30 teams here to Western Kentucky Bowling Green, that was something that really hasn't happened here before. And it was really exciting to see that. You know, over these past couple of months, man, you know, Steve Smith has been propping you up. I mean, he's been loving you on a lot of stuff.

Starting point is 00:10:38 You know, what was that like, you know, meeting him and getting to talk to him? That's a goal for sure. You know, he's one of the best to ever do it, you know, And being undersized and playing with such a ferocity and aggression to his game, that's somebody I really model my game after. And being able to have him now as a mentor and having his insight and being able to help me along this journey, maybe even in the future, getting some work with him. It's been extremely fun again to have that bond and connection to him.

Starting point is 00:11:02 Having someone that's so straight cut and so forward and will tell you everything that you need to hear and everything that you don't want to hear too, it's great to have someone like that in your life. And you had a busy afternoon here meeting with teams and everything. The Colts are pretty well represented here. What's your relationship and connection been like with them specifically during this process? It's been really good, you know, getting bored over with those guys

Starting point is 00:11:24 and ultimately just having, building that connection, hopefully going into draft day, maybe being an option for those guys and putting a good taste in their mouth, leaving here, you know. Having, you know, an OC here, a receiver coach, that was extremely important to have those type of guys here, especially them being right up the road, seeing something in me, and really loving my film and being able to come out here and evaluate and see me in person.

Starting point is 00:11:45 Very special. Reggie Wayne, wide receivers coach. We were just talking about Steve Smith. That'd be pretty big, too. No question. He's all the time great as well, and I'd love to learn from him. You know, over these next couple weeks for, you know, the draft gets here, you know, what's the process like for you? Is he heading to?

Starting point is 00:12:01 For me, a lot of it was catered towards the 40 in the shuttle and running routes here but really we're really about to get into the meat and potatoes of it all you know take a few days off and really get out the route running and really get into real football you know building my resume the coming of a fine route runner and ultimately critiquing the things that I've done in the past and building from those things just becoming a better player overall and really I'm enjoying the transformation and the growth that I have from this journey, you know, having habits that will carry me on into the NFL, having good tendencies and having a positive mind frame will help me succeed in the NFL. Everyone can see the film and see the player you are on the field.

Starting point is 00:12:40 But what don't people see behind the scenes? You know, the work ethic and preparation for game days, practice, film room, leadership in the locker room, what all weight does that have to you? Really, it's just about being a 24 hour person, being authentic and genuine in everything you do. I think it's really about setting an example for people and not following behind people and setting a standard for people. Especially, people that I got to play with who got to see some of the success I've

Starting point is 00:13:08 had and to help them have their own success in their own way. Being a mentor and a person that people can lean on in the locker room and being transparent and knowing that I can learn from them, there's as much as they can learn from me. And even getting into the aspect of taking care of my mental health and my body and getting into the cold stuff and doing things that everyone doesn't wanna do in order to reap rewards that everyone can't have. So really just taking care of my mental and physical health and getting in, you know, stretching a lot more, being stretched,

Starting point is 00:13:34 you know, rolling out my body, doing the extra steps that it'll take to help me sustain in the NFL and not just, you know, just get there, but to stay there. Are you watching Fox Sports or ESPN on your TV all day? Have to turn down the volume with all that shouting? Make the switch to Locked on Sports today. It's a free 24-7 sports streaming channel program for you every day to bring you the biggest stories without all the screaming. Locked on Sports today brings you can't miss analysis,

Starting point is 00:14:03 opinions and news streaming 24-7 on YouTube or the free Amazon Fire TV channels app, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. All right. So that was a great chat with Malachi Corley. Seems like a really, just a really good dude with a good head on his shoulders, knows what he wants, knows what's important to him. I love the fact that, you know, he started Western Kentucky and a guy that talented,

Starting point is 00:14:28 he's going to have options. Obviously stayed there to the end. I really wanted to ride things out with his guys. And again, you know, with, with the transfer portal and NIL and everything being as loud as it is nowadays, he, you know, he didn't have to do that. But, you know, the, the stability and being with people who are important to him, that is, you know, that's, that's a pretty big factor. So moving on to the Colts, who again, as a team that has apparently shown appreciation in him.

Starting point is 00:14:58 So if they're going to take him, 15 is going to be a little too rich, but they've got a couple picks on day two. They pick number 46 overall in the second round. And then in round three, they're at 82. I think either of those would be just fine. Obviously, if for some reason he's falling into the third round and you're able to scoop him up at 82, that's incredible value, but I would be fine with him at 46 as well. I think we all know they're going to take a receiver at some point. It's a very deep class, but who are they going to take? You know what I mean? If they go in round one, you're looking at the Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU, A.D. Mitchell, they're looking at some of those guys. But if they go with a cornerback, that's another position, we all think they might go.

Starting point is 00:15:45 Cause again, that's a very rich position, especially up top Terry and Arnold Cooper to Jean, uh, Quinnian Mitchell. If they do that and then want to take the receiver later, you know, Corley is a great option for round two. Uh, my, my big question regarding that is, you know, he's a Debo Samuel type. He's compared to him. Great frame, you know, five, five, 11 to 15, really stout build runs through those tackles. Everything you think he should be on film. He kind of is. Uh, there's a couple, you know, he's a former running back. So he's still ascending. He's still an ascending adjusting player. Uh, there again, there are some things to work out. He ran a good route tree today,

Starting point is 00:16:27 but that's not something he consistently had to do in college. You want to see more of that because we've seen like with an Alec Pierce, for example, he's taking a little while to develop because he wasn't kind of that pro ready-made type of guy coming out of Cincinnati. So you're going to have to see Corley build a little bit more of a route tree.

Starting point is 00:16:44 For how tough he is, you'd to have to see Corley build a little bit more of a route tree for how tough he is. You'd really like to see him be more aggressive at the catch point and not, you know, if a defender is going to be aggressive and go after the ball, you'd like to see him fight a little bit more for it or be physical because chances are he's going to be stronger than the corner that he's going up against. But another thing is, you know, stylistically, there's another player in the same range with South Carolina's Xavier Leggett. Those are both big, thick guys with run after the run after catch ability, both kind of viewed as a Brandon Iuke Debo Samuel type. But for Leggett, he's a couple inches bigger. He's a little faster.

Starting point is 00:17:22 I think he ran four, three, nine. And then he probably doesn't have as many small things to iron out. So for the Colts, I don't know. I mean, they've definitely shown the interest. They're doing the homework on him. But just knowing how they operate, Leggett checks a couple more boxes for them. But again, if you look at what the Colts,

Starting point is 00:17:47 what cards they've been showing before the draft, there's been some receivers that they've shown more interest in than others. Reggie Wayne went out to Oregon to look at Troy Franklin's pro day. At Texas, Shane Steichen was there. Jim Bob Cooter was there. They were looking at A.D. Mitchell,

Starting point is 00:18:07 Xavier Worthy, Jatavian Sanders, perhaps as well. But again, three guys here to watch Corley. Like I said, most of the pro days I go to, there's only usually one guy there and it's usually an area scout. So I don't think it's insignificant that they sent people to Bowling Green to meet with him after the pro day and to watch him throughout the day. So I think that's a big deal. So, again, how likely is it that the Colts get him? I think it's good that he's got a range anywhere from the second round to third and that there's a player comparable to him and like, get that might go a little earlier, which could push worthy or push Corley down the board a little bit. Cause again,

Starting point is 00:18:50 I'd be fine with them at 46 if you haven't taken a receiver already at 15, but 82 or even maybe trading up a little bit to get him in that third round would be really, really great value. The other thing is where do you play him? Because at Western Kentucky, he did kind of have the Debo Samuel role. He ran a bunch of routes. A lot of them were shorter. He ran the ball as well. So he was kind of that wide back type of player. So you don't have that on your roster already, but I kind of compare him to

Starting point is 00:19:26 whatever role the Colts kind of wanted for Paris Campbell. Now, Corley does project to a lot of teams to play in the slot, but I think he can also play outside as well. With this, I think you maybe don't start him in year one unless he is really, really looking well adjusted. You know, you kind of play him behind, obviously, Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs. Give him, you know, a bunch of snaps a game behind those guys, but you don't really necessarily have to make him a starter. And then, you know, he could kind of fulfill a punt and kickoff return role as well. But then by year two, you really know what you want to do with Alec Pierce.

Starting point is 00:20:09 You know you've already given Michael Pittman the few-year extension. Josh Downs is signed for three more years as well. So if you decide to start to phase Alec Pierce out or that he's just not that guy and you're ready to bring Corley more into the picture, that's a ready-made situation right there. He's already been a year in your system. You know what you want from him. He's probably a little more well-adjusted as a receiver, can run some more routes, knows the game a little bit better, knows the position of wide receiver a little better. So while I don't know that the Colts would just straight up give him that Debo Samuel type role, I think you can be a little exotic with him. If he's going to compare to anyone on the Colts,

Starting point is 00:20:51 I think he's kind of got the toughness of Michael Pittman, but can do some of the things that you do with Josh Downs right now. I especially picture him like running all these motions. The Colts love the orbit motions with Josh Downs. Corley could be a real, real problem for defenses with all of his pre-snap motion and going across the middle of the field. I think that could be a big plus for them. And a guy like Shane Steichen is creative. He'll figure out what to do. You can get all those guys on the field at the same time. So I hope you guys are pretty interested in Corley after this one. I know I'm going to go watch even more film on him. I'm very interested in him now. I want to, I'm

Starting point is 00:21:30 really interested to see where he shakes out in my final rankings. I tend to lean more heavily into, you know, how they fit with the Colts when I stack my rankings. So we'll see how that goes. But yeah, I mean, in the comments, if you guys have already studied him or want to know anything else about him, let me know and I'll see if I can get you some more info on him. But Locked On has launched the first ever National Sports 24-7 streaming channel on YouTube for you guys to check out right after this. It's also available on Amazon Fire TV and the free Fire TV channels app. Again, Locked On Sports today is here for you 24-7.

Starting point is 00:22:14 And then, of course, free agency has definitely slowed down for the Colts if it ever really got started. So we're pretty much getting into full draft mode here. And for Colts fans, there is no better resource for you than the Indie Draft Guide. Pre-orders are open now just for $8.99 with code DRAFTMISS. That's D-R-A-F-T-M-A-S. You get access to an essential piece of reading for Colts fans, both before and after the draft, featuring 225-plus in-depth scouting reports, features, and much, much more. Click the link in our show notes to pre-order today.

Starting point is 00:22:44 And again, if you guys don't already, follow at LockedOnColts, at JakeArthurNFL, and at ZachHicks2 on Twitter. Also be sure to subscribe on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. We would also love your ratings and reviews as well. And with that, we will see you beautiful folks tomorrow.

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Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: Malachi Corley Could Add Deebo Samuel-Type Element to Offense

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