Xavier

Gipson

This comes a day after the Jets traded Mike Williams to the Steelers after Williams ran a wrong route a few weeks ago in a loss to the Bills. Corley had an 18-yard rush last week against the Texans, and has just one catch on the season. The 65th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Corley could mix in with the New York offense as a slot option but won’t be fantasy relevant. Gipson, a kick returner who has four catches on seven targets this season, could also see an uptick in playing time.

We’ll likely know the specifics of Gipson’s injury in the coming days, but the second-year UDFA was seen hobbling off the field during Thursday’s practice and is now expected to miss some time. Gipson is expected to challenge rookie Malachi Corley for snaps as the Jets’ starting slot receiver, but the time missed due to this injury could give Corley the inside edge come Week 1. Gipson caught 21 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown as a rookie and also served as the team’s primary kick and punt returner. Even if he loses the competition for starting slot receiver, he should see plenty of work on special teams this season.

Corley was selected by the Jets in the third round after totaling 79 receptions for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final year at Western Kentucky. In 2022, the versatile receiver ripped off a 101-1,295-11 line and had a well-renowned reputation for his physical style of play and ability to create after the catch. While second-year UDFA Xavier Gipson has been rumored as the early favorite to earn the role as the Jets’ primary slot receiver, Corley should eventually take hold of that role during the season, if not much sooner.

Hughes went on to say, “Rookie Malachi Corley will work as a slot/gadget/returner,” though his early-third-round draft capital and post-catch quicks should earn him a role soon enough. Gipson, a 2023 undrafted free agent, makes for a reasonable rookie hurdle. Among NFL returners with at least 15 total returns, Gipson ranks and ties 13th in both yards per kickoff return (23.3) and yards per punt return (9.7), respectively, and his 55 total returns ranks No. 1. He averaged 10.9 yards per reception on 21 receptions but his 0.67 yards per route run belies his moderate receiving successes.

An undrafted rookie out of small-school Stephen F. Austin, 22-year-old Gipson became a Hard Knocks star before rather improbably going on to suit up for all 17 games. He caught “just” 21 passes, but that’s a good outcome for someone with Gipson’s pedigree. Considering the Jets’ totally barren receiver depth chart behind Garrett Wilson, it’s certainly possible Gipson ends up hanging around in the top 3-4 next year. With Aaron Rodgers coming back, Gipson is worth an end-of-bench stash in Dynasty leagues.

Gipson, with Allen Lazard (illness) inactive, ran a full route share and was third among Jets pass catchers in targets. The speedy Gipson has functioned as the team’s No. 2 wideout when Lazard is out. He would be a deep league option next week against the Patriots if Lazard remains sidelined.

With Allen Lazard’s role all but gone and Randall Cobb healthy scratched, Gipson ran as the team’s second receiver in this game. He finished third on the team in targets but managed to pace the squad in yards via a few chunk gains. The UDFA also contributed on special teams. He is worth an add in deep dynasty leagues but is not on the redraft radar.

The undrafted free agent rookie has served as the primary kick returner for the Jets but could be asked to do more on offense with Allen Lazard popping up late on the injury report with a knee injury Saturday. Even so, Lazard leaves behind a low volume role in an offense running primarily through running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

The undrafted free agent rookie willed his way onto the roster and worked his way into primary kick return duties. His 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime sent the Jets to a 1-0 record hours after starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered what could be a season-ending injury.