WR Keon Coleman, BUF (2 Viewers)

[FreeBaGeL]

I think the "bigger contested catch WR in college=NFL bust" narrative is a little overstated I think due to some recency bias specifically N'Keal Harry (who I always thought was overrated, Coleman is a better prospect than he was) and Laquon Treadwell. However, looking at WRs who were over 6-1 and 210+ pounds who ran 4.5+ and were picked round 1 or 2, you get the following names in the last 15 years:

Michael Crabtree
Hakeem Nicks
Dez Bryant
Justin Blackmon
DeAndre Hopkins
Kelvin Benjamin
Allen Robinson
Laquon Treadwell
Devin Funchess
Michael Thomas
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Courtland Sutton
N'Keal Harry
Michael Pittman
Laviska Shenault
Drake London

That's a pretty nice list for the most part. I'd have Coleman no lower than 11th in rookie rankings and wouldn't hesitate to take him over 1st round WR's Pearsall and Legette.

I'm not sure size+40 time is really an accurate link to contested catch/can't separate. For most of those guys I don't remember that being a big talking point about them as prospects compared to what it is for Coleman.

Dez is probably the best example of a guy that, at least to some extent, was thought of as a contested catch/lower separation guy and worked out. Maybe it's just been too long, but I don't recall it being a thing people were talking about with guys like Hopkins/Crabtree when they were coming out.

Here are the draft profiles of each on NFL.com

Hopkins
Presents good height and length for an outside receiver, also has some lower-body strength for explosion off the line of scrimmage and in his cuts. Solid route-runner used in the short, intermediate, and deep games, who has flexibility to avoid corners in zone and the quick feet to separate on hitches, comebacks, and other cuts. Does a nice job creating separation and deceiving defensive backs with head fakes and quick moves. Will threaten the top of defenses with NFL-quality straight-line speed. Possesses strong hands in traffic, not afraid of contact downfield and can separate at the last second with an arm extension. Agile enough to quickly avoid oncoming defenders after the catch yet remain balanced to head downfield for the big gain.

Crabtree
Ultra-productive, competitive playmaker with prototypical size. Excellent hands; snatches the ball from the air within or outside his body. Secures the ball quickly in his strong hands after the catch. Uses his size, initial quickness and hands to get inside or outside separation off the line of scrimmage. Runs quick slants and has the suddenness to take the route upfield. Excellent body control to high-point the ball in traffic, adjust to any poor throw, tiptoe on the sideline and find his way through creases. Can turn his man out, plant and get the inside shoulder, giving the quarterback a big target down the seam.

Coleman
Above-the-rim artist with circus catches resembling a scene from the tents of Cirque du Soleil. Coleman has excellent size and ball skills. He’s not sudden and doesn’t have great speed, so beating press and creating breathing room against tight man coverages will depend on his ability to improve as a route-runner. The former star basketball player has a rebounder’s blend of extension and timing to give jump-ball defenders the blues. He’s big and strong with soft hands, but he can play with a little more aggression in claiming his deep-ball space and getting after it as a run blocker.

Additionally, in the breakdown of strengths/weaknesses separation was listed as a strength in both Hopkins and Crabtree's profile, and was only mentioned as a weakness in terms of Crabtree's long speed to get separation over the top against fast corners. In Coleman's profile it is harped on pretty hard in his list of weaknesses, and even in his strengths section they are listing things that he's good at doing to combat his weak separation.

Strengths​

• Prototypical size and high-end ball skills.
• Attacks underneath throws with extended, sticky hands.
• Works aggressively back on short and intermediate throws.
• Unlikely to see focus drops when watching his tape.
• Meets jump balls with full extension to the high-point.
• Uses size to gain advantage over the cornerback on jump-ball wins.
• Hard to bring down after the catch and as a punt returner.

Weaknesses​

• Press coverage can blanket his release and catch a ride.
• Below-average acceleration getting out of breaks and cuts.
• Could struggle finding separation to avoid excessive contested catches.
• Needs to play through downfield corners to secure catch space.
• Capable of being a much more effective run blocker.

Obviously lots of objectivity involved in that and there are probably 1000 different player profiles out there, but just because some of those other guys were decently sized and and didn't have blazing 40's doesn't necessarily mean they were considered contested catch/low separation guys like Coleman is generally regarded as.

 

[Faust]

How rookie WR Keon Coleman is learning Bills 'different' offensive playbook

 

[metoo]

If he doesn’t make it, it won’t be because he didn’t work hard. I love his attitude.

 

[Faust]

Keon Coleman Continues His Incredible Media Tour, Is Asked To Name His 3 Favorite Snacks And Promptly Lists His Top 100

 

[Faust]

Photo: Keon Coleman Reps Young Fan's Homemade Bracelet in Jersey Reveal After Letter

 

[MTskibum]

I think the "bigger contested catch WR in college=NFL bust" narrative is a little overstated I think due to some recency bias specifically N'Keal Harry (who I always thought was overrated, Coleman is a better prospect than he was) and Laquon Treadwell. However, looking at WRs who were over 6-1 and 210+ pounds who ran 4.5+ and were picked round 1 or 2, you get the following names in the last 15 years:

Michael Crabtree
Hakeem Nicks
Dez Bryant
Justin Blackmon
DeAndre Hopkins
Kelvin Benjamin
Allen Robinson
Laquon Treadwell
Devin Funchess
Michael Thomas
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Courtland Sutton
N'Keal Harry
Michael Pittman
Laviska Shenault
Drake London

That's a pretty nice list for the most part. I'd have Coleman no lower than 11th in rookie rankings and wouldn't hesitate to take him over 1st round WR's Pearsall and Legette.

The one difference between him and everyone else on that list is Coleman was a star punt returner on a major college program. I also believe i heard he had the fastest gauntlet time in the combine.

https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=38658536

I avoided Coleman and took McConky over him twice in the mid first, but there has to be a reason Buffalo invested that draft capital.

 

[travdogg]

I think the "bigger contested catch WR in college=NFL bust" narrative is a little overstated I think due to some recency bias specifically N'Keal Harry (who I always thought was overrated, Coleman is a better prospect than he was) and Laquon Treadwell. However, looking at WRs who were over 6-1 and 210+ pounds who ran 4.5+ and were picked round 1 or 2, you get the following names in the last 15 years:

Michael Crabtree
Hakeem Nicks
Dez Bryant
Justin Blackmon
DeAndre Hopkins
Kelvin Benjamin
Allen Robinson
Laquon Treadwell
Devin Funchess
Michael Thomas
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Courtland Sutton
N'Keal Harry
Michael Pittman
Laviska Shenault
Drake London

That's a pretty nice list for the most part. I'd have Coleman no lower than 11th in rookie rankings and wouldn't hesitate to take him over 1st round WR's Pearsall and Legette.

The one difference between him and everyone else on that list is Coleman was a star punt returner on a major college program. I also believe i heard he had the fastest gauntlet time in the combine.

https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=38658536

I avoided Coleman and took McConky over him twice in the mid first, but there has to be a reason Buffalo invested that draft capital.

Dez Bryant was an outstanding PR in college.

 

[Faust]

Bills QB Josh Allen on rookie WR Keon Coleman's playing style: It's what Buffalo needs in our offense

 

[Faust]

WATCH: WR Keon Coleman comes down with incredible catch at Bills minicamp

 

[Faust]

Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman plans to be himself: 'I'm not Gabe, I'm not Stef, I'm just Keon'

 

[Faust]

How Keon Coleman could become the Bills' next No. 1 receiver in time

 

[Faust]

alex brasky
Here is the incredible grab from Keon Coleman during today’s #Bills training camp — looks like a catch to me

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[Faust]

alex brasky
Keon Coleman is having about as good of a training camp as the #Bills could’ve hoped for. This throw and catch — incredible #BillsMafia

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[Faust]

alex brasky
Josh Allen on #Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman: "The catch radius that he has, he is going to find a way to go up and get it... You feel like you can't miss when you're throwing to him." #BillsMafia

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[Faust]

alex brasky
Josh Allen says he had some guys over during the offseason and had a chef cook for them. She made fish. Keon Coleman wouldn't eat it.

"He's just not normal... And I mean that in the best way." #Bills #BillsMafia

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[Terpman22]

alex brasky
Josh Allen on #Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman: "The catch radius that he has, he is going to find a way to go up and get it... You feel like you can't miss when you're throwing to him." #BillsMafia

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[Faust]

@32BeatWriters
Josh Allen Keon Coleman

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alex brasky
Josh Allen to Keon Coleman touchdown back of the end zone against Christian Benford. Coleman created great separation at the top of the route. Upon making the reception, Coleman punted the ball to Penfield #Bills #BillsMafia

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Matt Parrino
Keon Coleman's vertical is insane to watch in person. The highlight of today's practice was what I initially thought would be a throwaway from Josh Allen on the run through the back of the end zone. But Coleman soared to haul in the grab over Christian Benford. Unreal grab.

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Sal Capaccio
Keon Coleman just had his daily highlight reel catch. Josh was scrambling hard right, just before going OB he threw a rope high to the back of the end zone. Coleman went up to somehow get it for a TD.

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[Faust]

alex brasky
Keon Coleman with his daily highlight reel grab. Looked like Terrel Bernard had a lane to Josh Allen, but officials let play continue despite a would-be sack, then Allen went high to Coleman who skied to make the grab. His ability to go up and get it is as advertised #BillsMafia

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[BIRDGANG52]

Here are some recent quotes (from 2 days ago) from Josh Allen that should leave Keon Coleman owners feeling happy.

“When he was going through his college tape, I thought he was kind of a mix between like a Michael Thomas and a Dez Bryant,” Allen said. “Obviously big guy, great body control, and I think Dez and Michael Thomas have that great body control. I think he’s up there with them."


“I think he’s the best body control that I’ve seen in terms of running to the right, jumping off his right and getting left, and then running left side, jumping off his left, and getting right. I think that’s his basketball background. But again, he’s 6-foot-4, I think he plays faster than what his 40 [yard dash] time said. I know everybody knocks him for that, but he’s a gamer, too, and he loves the game of football. I’m excited to throw to him.”


“He reminds me a lot of Dalton Kincaid in that sense [personality], who reminds me of me a little bit, in that sense,” Allen said. “It’s like, guys that love football, but also just love having fun. You have to have fun. Once you stop having fun with this thing, go do something else.”

Bills QB Josh Allen compares rookie Keon Coleman to two former All-Pro WRs

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen had significant praise for rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman during a recent podcast appearance.

www.si.com

 

[Faust]

Jacob Gibbs
Buffalo Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman has run 32 routes this preseason, per @TruMediaSports.

The results:
- 6 targets
- 2 receptions
- 20 yards

Coleman is 0/3 on end zone targets. You can watch those here:

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[massraider]

He either has issues with man coverage, or likes giving piggy back rides.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He either has issues with man coverage, or likes giving piggy back rides.

Been seeing a lot of tweets about how Coleman has failed to separate all preseason. I'm fading him bigtime, and bumping both Shakir & Samuel in my redraft rankings.

 

[massraider]

Been seeing a lot of tweets about how Coleman has failed to separate all preseason. I'm fading him bigtime, and bumping both Shakir & Samuel in my redraft rankings.

I would say that I am not big on him, but I think there is a path to relevance, and fantasy output.

Maybe he needs to become more of a technician , Michael Thomas style. Maybe needs a QB not afraid to throw up 50/50 balls.

He doesn't have the suddenness, the quicks to beat man consistently. But that was never his game, and guys like him who make it, it takes a little time.

 

[VikingFrog]

He’s been teased high on @Instinctive ’s list of WR that will outperform… so I will be patiently awaiting tonight to see what he has to say about him. I’m finding him very cheap and available in most leagues, where I also have Curtis Samuel, so may be worth a double dart throw to see where he shakes out through the first few weeks.

 

[cdclopper]

all-22, vs Pittsburgh, vs Chicago

Seems to me the hate is a bit much right now. At least he's been on the field with the starters every time. On the other hand only a few plays with Josh Allen.

 

[BassNBrew]

vs Pittsburgh,

Wonder why Pitt didn't even bother to cover him most of the time.

 

[cdclopper]

vs Pittsburgh,

Wonder why Pitt didn't even bother to cover him most of the time.

Mostly they played zone. And Trubisky was on the Steelers for the last 2 seasons. I wonder if they had a hunch about his habits. They were bearing down on the underneath routes.

 

[ChiefD]

He feels like one of those guys where as a fan of the team the Bills are playing, your pass rush chases Allen around for half an hour and all of a sudden he throws this desperation crap up into traffic and all of a sudden there is Coleman grabbing 25 yard back breaking catches all the time on 3rd and long.

 

[Chaka]

He feels like one of those guys where as a fan of the team the Bills are playing, your pass rush chases Allen around for half an hour and all of a sudden he throws this desperation crap up into traffic and all of a sudden there is Coleman grabbing 25 yard back breaking catches all the time on 3rd and long.

I can see that.

He better be the contested catch monster at this level they believe him to be because he isn't going to create much separation on his own.

 

[Moonlight]

His viability looks like it will depend on how willing Josh Allen is to throw 50-50 balls to him and how much separation the other WRs are getting.
I think he will be given every opportunity to be their first choice in the end zone

 

[Faust]

Ajay Cybulski
Joe Brady says that Keon Coleman is able to do everything physically that the #Bills offense has asked of him, and will continue to learn how defensive backs will guard him in the NFL and adjust accordingly.

#BillsMafia

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[Faust]

alex brasky

Keon Coleman created separation and beat both Taron Johnson and Kaiir Elam (twice) on routes during WR/DB 1 on 1s Wednesday at #Bills practice. The second time he beat Elam, he completely left him in the dust. Big roar from the sideline — Coleman punted the ball in celebration #BillsMafia

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[VikingFrog]

alex brasky

Keon Coleman created separation and beat both Taron Johnson and Kaiir Elam (twice) on routes during WR/DB 1 on 1s Wednesday at #Bills practice. The second time he beat Elam, he completely left him in the dust. Big roar from the sideline — Coleman punted the ball in celebration #BillsMafia

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But, I thought he could not create separation?

 

[Chaka]

alex brasky

Keon Coleman created separation and beat both Taron Johnson and Kaiir Elam (twice) on routes during WR/DB 1 on 1s Wednesday at #Bills practice. The second time he beat Elam, he completely left him in the dust. Big roar from the sideline — Coleman punted the ball in celebration #BillsMafia

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But, I thought he could not create separation?

Is it really good news that it's noteworthy when he does create separation?

 

[TVT 0 N S T A]

Hard to put a value on these WR's in rookie drafts - it feels like consensus has Worthy the clear #4, behind Harrison, Nabers and Odunze. Before the draft, everyone was on Brian Thomas Jr as the #4 and some were even saying he would be a number 1 in any normal draft. People soured on the landing spot, I guess. I still have Brian Thomas Jr. ahead of all because I think he can feast on deep crossing and go routes but Xavier Worthy went 6th in a PPR rookie draft I did.

Keon Coleman went to a WR needy team ahead of Johnathon Brooks, Ladd McConkey and Brian Thomas Jr. I was left with the decision at 1.10 on Ladd or BTJ and took a guy that I think can be the X receiver in an offense, in Thomas. It seems like we are at the stage of over-evaluating and I think Keon Coleman in any other situation would probably be around AD Mitchell, Xavier Legette. All this to say, I don't believe Coleman belongs in the same conversation as Worthy or BTJ.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

Pre-NFL draft, post-NFL draft and today I still rank them Harrison-Nabers-Odunze-Thomas. After those four I have moved them around a bit. If I am faced with a choice of Thomas, Worthy, Coleman, Brooks and McConkey I would still take Thomas. I mean MAYBE if I were a RB starved team I might go Brooks, but doubt it.

 

[Terpman22]

alex brasky

Keon Coleman created separation and beat both Taron Johnson and Kaiir Elam (twice) on routes during WR/DB 1 on 1s Wednesday at #Bills practice. The second time he beat Elam, he completely left him in the dust. Big roar from the sideline — Coleman punted the ball in celebration #BillsMafia

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But, I thought he could not create separation?

Is it really good news that it's noteworthy when he does create separation?

I would say so, when the narrative is that he cannot. And the note states he "left the DB in the dust" so it sounds like he may be improving his route running savvy. Its hard to be too down on a guy in the situation he is in: Drafted high, 2nd most vacated targets in the NFL, with the consensus #1 overall fantasy QB not only the one chucking the rock to him, but this guy happens to have that "F it he's open" Brett Favre gunslinger mentality.

I am all in on Keon.

 

[BIRDGANG52]

If you believed every narrative that came out of preseason, you'd still be talking smack about Ja'Marr Chase not being able to catch a football. Wish I would have ignored those reports the same way I'm ignoring the stuff I hear about this guy not being able to seperate.

That's not what his strengths are. He's taller than Dez Bryant. Bills didn't draft him to separate. Bills drafted him to physically dominate smaller corners. He will at some point have a 5 ft 10 or 5 ft 11 guy trying to cover him and he won't need to "separate" to catch a pass over them.

 

[(HULK)]

This guy is going to have a big season. I think he'll have the 3rd most yards of the rookie WRs, and either the most or second most TDs.

The situation he was drafted into is ideal. That matters way more than people factor it in.

 

[foxco]

The situation he was drafted into is ideal. That matters way more than people factor it in.

Didn't help Skyy Moore.

 

[ffmail4me]

The situation he was drafted into is ideal. That matters way more than people factor it in.

Didn't help Skyy Moore.

ooof. Man has a good point, although I think Coleman is light years more talented than Moore...

 

[massraider]

Please please please let this guy be a good football player

 

[(HULK)]

The situation he was drafted into is ideal. That matters way more than people factor it in.

Didn't help Skyy Moore.

Yeah, but Keon is legit and has a good head on his shoulders too.

His talent will never match MHJr or Nabers, and maybe not Rome's, but he's definitely got the skills to play in this league and he's going to be fed fed fed and we're gonna see him eat IMO

 

[Faust]

Dov Kleiman
Bills rookie WR Keon Coleman was asked if his seriousness has changed now that the season is approaching. His answer was perfect.

“When hasn’t it been Keon, the football player?”

(h/t @paulderousselle)

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[menobrown]

Just going to add I got this one FFPC rules dynasty league that I'd consider active with trading but not some kind of uber active and in this league he's already on his 4th roster. Seems to be going for less every time.

Can't recall a player being on a 1/3rd of the teams rosters in a league before they ever played a game.

 

[JohnnyU]

If he can’t get open Allen won’t throw him the ball. I know he’s a one-trick-pony with contested catches, but that will only go so far.

 

[Faust]

Michael F. Florio
Keon Coleman led Bills receivers in

- snaps (72%)
- routes (22)
- targets (5)
- catches (4)
- yards (51)

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[VikingFrog]

We may have something here fellas.

 

[kface]

What i love about the preseason is the surety of so many people that some people will be studs or duds. Like they have a crystal ball

Coleman in a great situation

 

[VikingFrog]

What i love about the preseason is the surety of so many people that some people will be studs or duds. Like they have a crystal ball

Coleman in a great situation

Allen seems to trust him already on some jump ball 50/50 type scenarios.

He missed one in the endzone. But it’s a good sign.

I won’t start him till I see more. But arrow is pointing up for being involved.