Buffalo Rumblings
Coleman is a contested-catch warrior
With the first pick in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected wide receiver Keon Coleman out of Florida State.
With this pick, it’s evident that One Bills Drive prioritized receivers who are proficient at catching the football. Leading up to the draft, general manager Brandon Beane spoke of the importance to a receiver’s game in creating separation. That caused some to see Coleman as a poor fit for their system, given his subpar 4.61-second 40-yard dash time at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Securing the football is vitally important in a league that often requires pass catchers to make unthinkable grabs against press coverage and tight down-field defensive play.
That’s Keon Coleman’s forte. The 6’4”, 210-pound Coleman began his college career at Michigan State, transferring to play for the Seminoles during his final year of college. In two seasons with Michigan, Coleman caught 65 passes for 848 yards (13 ypr) and eight touchdowns. Last season with Florida State, Coleman made 50 receptions for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns.
(stats courtesy of Sports Reference)
Whether Coleman was drafted to become the team’s future WR1 remains unclear at this point. His production in college didn’t translate to that of an NFL WR1, but he’s far from a complete prospect at this point in his career. He brings fantastic size and dependability to a Bills receivers room that lacked both too often in 2023.
Coleman also appears to have caught the eye of quarterback Josh Allen. Jordan Schultz reported that Keon Coleman was apparently “the top WR left that Josh Allen wanted last night.”
Is Coleman’s perceived lack of timed athleticism a concern? First off, 4.61 in the 40 isn’t entirely slow — it’s just comparatively slow. Second, it’s important to remember the idea of game speed, and consider those athletes who play faster in full pads. The same is true of track stars who look like they’re running in water once they hit the gridiron.
Sal Capaccio shared Brandon Beane’s thoughts on what Coleman brings, and how he’s a faster player than measurements lead one to believe.
What are your thoughts, Bills Mafia? Sound off in the comments!
