Keon Coleman, a Bills wide receiver, is already becoming BFFs with Josh Allen.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman demonstrated on Saturday that he has a charming off-field personality, peppering his debut press conference with amusing moments. However, Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen admires Coleman’s playing abilities, which could be the primary reason the organization drafted him 33rd overall.
Coleman stated that Allen texted him on draft day, according to Patrick Warren of BuffaloBills.com.
“He texted me the day of and said, ‘You’re the guy I want.'” “I watched a lot of receivers and I want to play with you,” Coleman stated. “And I have been saying the same thing. I want to play with the guy wearing number 17. I think he’s an excellent quarterback, one of the greatest in the game right now, and I’d love to catch passes from him. “I’m ready for that.”
It’s hardly surprising that Allen was drawn to Coleman, as the 6-foot-4, 216-pound wideout has the potential to be a devastating red-zone target. With Stefon Diggs leaving for Houston, Allen sorely wanted a deadly target to replace him.
Will Coleman ever reach Diggs’ heights?
Keon Coleman has promising potential, but he needs time to develop with the Bills
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Coleman was an end-zone magnet last season, with 50 receptions, 658 yards, and 11 touchdowns for Florida State, earning him first-team All-ACC honors. He was also named third-team All-Big Ten in 2022, with 58 receptions, 798 yards, and seven touchdowns.
Coleman, according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, is still a developing talent.
“Coleman has excellent size and ball skills,” Zierlein explained. “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.”
Taller receivers typically have longer strides, which results in less explosion and quickness. Coleman’s route-running, however, can be improved over time. This is a common concern for young receivers, and it is a skill that develops with repetition and experience.
“The former star basketball player has a rebounder’s blend of extension and timing to give jump-ball defenders the blues,” Zierlein went on to say. “He’s large and strong, with soft hands, but he can be more aggressive in claiming deep-ball space and getting after it as a run blocker. Coleman may lack the athleticism required to be a well-rounded WR2. Instead, keep an eye on him as a large slot receiver who can excel in the red zone.
If Zierlein’s forecast comes true, Coleman may not be versatile enough to match Diggs’ level. He could, however, develop into a vertical danger in the mold of Plaxico Burress, a big-bodied safety blanket who can be relied on to catch jump balls.
Regardless, Coleman will need time to improve his game. While some rookies hit the ground running right away, wide receiver is a methodical position with a very steep learning curve at the higher level. Breaking down NFL secondaries is substantially more difficult than the NCAA, and the only way to improve is via experience.
