No idea if Keon Coleman is going to step in and be the Buffalo Bills’ immediate No. 1 wide receiver. The 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft will certainly be counted on for a lot as a rookie, and in the coming years, to be Josh Allen’s go-to target. Being part of a relatively stable Bills organization and having a quarterback like Allen will help Coleman’s cause to thrive in the league.
Put aside anything to do with what happens on the field for a minute, though. Coleman is quickly establishing himself as a first-team All-Pro-caliber personality. Many had their first proper exposure to him via his amazing press conference after getting drafted to Buffalo. Now, some behind-the-scenes draft content is dropping all over the place. Whether it’s war room trades, emotional phone calls, or anything else in between, the NFL is doing a great job providing premium access to fans for a process that fascinates millions around the world.
The Bills were generous enough to share a segment of Coleman’s pre-draft interview, and when asked about his hobby of golfing, the former Florida State star had a most unexpected and hilarious response.
“I’m Tiger-Wish-He-Could, I’m not Tiger Woods. I wish I could putt and do all that. Them boys out there shooting 5-under. I ain’t doing all that. It might take me five just to putt it in.
But I’m gonna go have fun like, you know, it’s controlled chaos. You’re frustrated, but you can’t get mad. Pull a muscle in your back trying to hit the ball. So it forces me to stay calm and just swing.”
Freakish athleticism, a stomach of steel, and the ability to light up a room with his unique cadence and singular mind? I can see why Allen and the Bills became smitten with Coleman amid a loaded wide receiver class. When they traded down with the Chiefs and watched Kansas City draft Texas speedster Xavier Worthy, I thought Buffalo’s front office had lost its mind. A mere week later, I’m already opening up to the possibility that Coleman might’ve been the right choice all along.
And again, that’s purely because he’s such a delight as a person. Not that his athletic profile wasn’t tantalizing, or that he isn’t an excellent, pure hands catcher with appealing size at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds. All those tools are self-evident. However, Coleman ran slower than expected in the Combine 40 (4.61), and converted only 10 of 30 contested catch opportunities last season for the Seminoles.
For a player of his size, explosiveness and sure hands, not succeeding more often at the catch point is cause for a little concern. Coleman also didn’t go through agility testing, perhaps because his route-running craft is still a work in progress. He’s just a straight-up big dude whose strong suit isn’t short-area quickness, or abrupt change of direction.
The Bills just signed another receiver in Coleman’s sort of mold except speedier and less likable: Chase Claypool.
Funnily enough, the Bears traded what was eventually the 33rd overall pick — Coleman’s exact draft spot; was actually the 32nd pick since Miami forfeited its first-rounder — to Pittsburgh in exchange for Claypool. He proved to be a bust in Chicago. One of the rare missteps Bears GM Ryan Poles made en route to getting Caleb Williams.
Can’t say I love the Bills’ personnel at receiver with Stefon Diggs being traded to Houston, but Diggs’ departure might be addition by subtraction. Coleman is WR1 in this year’s draft based on personality, even though he was the eighth one drafted. Again, catching balls from Allen, combined with Buffalo’s dire need at the position, puts Coleman in as good of a spot as anyone to be an instant-impact starter.
Regardless of how he plays, really, won’t we all be tuned in for his pressers? These might become Mike McDaniel-esque appointment viewing.
