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If you have been following NFL draft media recently, one player in particular has been garnering a lot of conflicting dialogue. Florida State’s Keon Coleman. Following a strong 2022 season, the standout WR transferred from Michigan State where he starred next to Green Bay Packer, Jayden Reed. Now after two seasons of great production at the college level, why are people so split on Coleman?
Current FSU & 2024 WR Keon Coleman showing impressive hands + ball tracking ability.
Would have loved to have seen more opportunities like this from him on his FSU tape.
Polarizing draft prospect this year for sure. pic.twitter.com/7goqxVob0Q
Key Attributes and Play Style
Coleman has solid speed and athleticism, but he doesn’t have the suddenness or burst to be an elite threat downfield. Coleman's biggest strengths stem from being 6’4 220. Coleman's stature combined with good hands, great body control, and good contested catch ability is reminiscent of of George Pickens, but he is not at the level Pickens is athletically. Looking at Coleman's draft profile he mirrors that of former great Alshon Jeffery as a true X reciever.
Coleman’s solid athletic profile allows him to be a threat after the catch as well. That said, Coleman's big weakness is in his ability to get separation, which stems from his below average route running ability. Coleman is mostly a one-dimensional contested catch artist, however, I do think he will be able to succeed in the NFL on this if he is not able to improve in other aspects of his game.
Coleman is only 20 years old, and he has shown flashes of solid route running ability on his tape. I was particularly surprised to see that he is very strong off the line of scrimmage and has a deep bag of release packages. His major weakness is his tendency to round his routes. They don’t have much of a sense of suddenness or sharpness in and out of breaks.
Oftentimes on stop routes such as hitches and curls, which was a large part of his game at FSU, Coleman's feet get caught lagging behind his body and it allows the defensive back to close on him and beat him to the ball. I think Coleman could stand to learn from a wide receivers coach or trainer that has a similar build to help him learn how to use his body as leverage to create separation.
Keon Coleman will be a dominant ball winner from the moment he steps on an NFL field. pic.twitter.com/iLsfy1CaGM
Film Breakdown
As I watched Coleman's 2023 film, I absolutely hated his fit in the Florida State offense. I think part of the reason why people are so split on Coleman is because of the uncertainty that surrounded him this year. Coleman's route tree was extremely limited, and he was overshadowed by Johnny Wilson, who garnered the majority of targets in the offense.
If Coleman were to stay at Michigan State, or have transferred to a school where he could have been more of a focal point in the offense, I think some of the uncertainty surrounding his ability to separate and run a full route tree could have been answered. However, that was simply not the case. While I don’t agree that Coleman should be immediately written off as the next N’Keal Harry that some people claim, and I do think he will be a good player, I wouldn’t feel good about spending a first round pick on Coleman this spring.
Final Grade: 86.4 - Early 2nd Round
For the Full Grade Breakdown, See Instagram @KwonScouting
