Buffalo Bills 2024 NFL Draft: Initial analysis of WR Keon Coleman

The Bills had plenty of time to think about the pick overnight, and there were rumors they might trade back again, but they decided to stay put and draft their wide receiver of the future. Let's see what he's all about!

College Career

2021: Played at Michigan State; played in 10 games as a backup; seven receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown

2022: Played at Michigan State; All Big-Ten Conference Honorable Mention; led the team with 58 receptions for 798 receiving yards and seven TDs

2023: Transferred to Florida State; First-Team All-ACC at wide receiver, all-purpose, and special teams; led the team with 50 receptions for 658 receiving yards and 11 TDs; also had 300 punt return yards (3 third in FBS)

2024 NFL Scouting Combine

• Height: 6'3"
• Weight: 213 pounds
• 40-yard dash: 4.61 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.54 seconds
• Vertical jump: 38"
• Broad jump: 10'7"

Coleman ran a slow 40-yard dash — we all know that by now. But his size and explosive metrics are outstanding. His jump-ball skills are out of this world and he has some wiggle after the catch. Coleman plays faster than his 40 time though, and here's some proof:

Brandon Beane: Keon Coleman excellent against press coverage. Probably isn't going to run away from people but his play speed is faster. Bills have access to his GPS speed and he's closer to 4.5 than the 4.61 he ran at combine.

— Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) April 26, 2024

Highlights

This is the highlight of Keon Coleman. Unreal catch.

Bills select WR Keon Coleman with the No. 33 overall pick.

• Didn't drop a single pass in 2023

• Led the ACC with 11 receiving TDspic.twitter.com/wskdGaEoP8

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) April 26, 2024

Just because Keon Coleman ran a slow 40-yard dash doesn't mean he can't make big plays. Don't sleep on Coleman's run-after-the-catch ability.

Bills get WR Keon Coleman. He's not a burner (4.61 40) but has the size and athleticism the Bills need. 6-3, 213 and can do this ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/f3x6gIAwvp

— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) April 26, 2024

Yikes... this play is outstanding. Again, his run-after-the-catch ability is better than you think.

He's a contested catch beast. I could see this exact throw from Allen to Coleman happening next year.

Did you know that Coleman was a hooper too? Well.... now you know! Pretty easy to see why he's a natural athlete catching pass in the air.

Pros

• Great size
• A monster when the ball is in the air; 50/50-ball extraordinaire
• Hands like velcro
• Has wiggle after the catch and can also break tackles
• Bullies smaller corners, effective against press coverage

Cons

• Not a burner
• Separation abilities are below average
• Slow getting in and out of breaks
• Route running needs polish but his ceiling is high if he can improve in this category

Player Comp

Brandon Marshall

Like Marshall, Keon Coleman is a big physical receiver who excels at the catch point. Neither were the fastest player on the field but they were a force to be reckoned with when the ball is in the air. Marshall also had some ability after the catch like Coleman. Marshall had a fantastic career and was a WR1 for many years — one could only hope Coleman has a career arc of Marshall.

How Coleman fits with the Bills

Coleman will be an instant starter with the Bills. His production in year one will be interesting to watch. Let's be honest about the situation: He's in a great position where he will play right away, he has a superstar quarterback who can throw the ball anywhere on the field, and he's good at catching the football.

\Offensive Rookie of the Year favorites will likely be left to the bunch of quarterbacks taken in the first round, but I wouldn't be surprised if Coleman comes out of 2024 with one of the most productive seasons from a rookie receiver.

Coleman will be a red zone threat and will get his fair share of balls thrown his way. I'd expect him to be used as an "X" receiver and expand his route tree with the Bills. The Bills will ask him to become a better blocker than he was in college, but that won't be his primary role. I'd expect him to get more targets than Gabe Davis ever did, but I wouldn't be surprised if his average depth of target is bigger than we expect.

Keon Coleman's floor is as a solid WR2 who can be a red zone asset and be someone for Allen to throw a jump ball to when he's in scramble mode. Coleman has some developing still to do but if he can polish his route running and create separation with savvy there... watch out, the Bills might have their WR1 of the future.