Draft Analysis: Keon Coleman

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 213 lb.
College: Florida State
Tape watched: LSU, Wake Forest, Duke, Washington, Clemson
NFL Comparison: Kenny Golladay

Pros

Hands

Keon Coleman makes a strong argument for the best hands in the 2024 draft class. A true hand catcher, Coleman rarely has focus drops. He has strong hands that locate the football and keeps the ball out of harms way. He is one of the premier 50/50, combat catch receivers in his class. He tracks the ball efficiently as well.

Physicality

Coleman embraces his 6’3″ 213 pound frame in all aspects of his game. He bullies defensive backs through his entire route and through the catch point. He initiates contact at the top of his routes for extra separation. Coleman is active with his hands and arms at the top of routes as well.

Midline

YAC

A sneaky playmaker, Keon Coleman is athletic as they come. His explosive combine measurables were high 90th percentile. Coleman has a mean stiff arm to keep defenders at bay. He is a difficult tackle at his size and will pick up extra yards as a result.

Given space, Coleman can split the defense and stride out touchdowns.

Coleman with one of the best after catch plays of the college season.

Release

With too much variability in his snaps, Coleman’s release is hard to grade. Too often Coleman is lazy off the line of scrimmage, or he doesn’t play to the tempo the route requires. When he explodes off the line of scrimmage he climbs his routes well. He uses his size and strength effectively against press coverage as well.

This is my biggest concern for Coleman in the NFL. He can’t rely on winning like this.

Cons

Route Running

Coleman has stiff hips and relies too heavily on creating separation with his upper body. He fails to run away from defenders downfield, and it shows with his 4.62s 40-yard dash at the combine. He was most effective as a slot receiver, where he had more space to operate and could use his body to shield throws underneath the sticks. Coleman is also able to climb to slot defenders and initiate contact at his route break easier than defenders in press man.

Blocking

A lack of effort in Coleman’s blocking game could effect his slot percent usage in the NFL. He showed little interest in getting to his assignment in the middle of the field. Coleman doesn’t close space and opts to use his arms to try and shove defenders instead of driving them out of plays.

Overview

Keon Coleman has become an enigma in draft circles after his poor 40-yard dash. Coleman has plenty of highlight clips that make you excited for his style, but watching every snap in a game paints different pictures. There is a high variability for receivers’ success that fit Coleman’s mold. Can he continue to dominate the catch point in the NFL? Can he refine his route running and get open at an NFL rate? I think Coleman showed enough at MSU and FSU to be a high variable, big play #2 receiver in the NFL.