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Keon Coleman Slams His Own Rookie Season Performance: ‘That Sh*t Trash’
Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Keon Coleman isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to evaluating his performance last season. After being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations were high for Coleman to step up, especially following the departure of Stefon Diggs. However, ColemanS rookie campaign fell short of projections, and he’s the first to admit it.
Coleman recently critiqued his own game film with brutal honesty, stating directly, “Man, that sh*t trash,” according to the team’s official website. His self-assessment highlights a drive to improve his efficiency, route running, and overall contribution to the Bills’ offense.
Coleman’s Critique: A Deep Dive
The Bills hoped Coleman could fill the void left by Gabriel Davis. While he showed flashes of potential, his final stat line-29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns-didn’t match the hype. Coleman’s 57 targets put him on par with other rookies drafted much later, indicating untapped potential.
Coleman identified specific areas needing advancement, including:
- More efficient route running.
- Better separation from defensive backs.
- Providing quarterback Josh Allen with clearer throwing lanes.
- Improved catch rate.
- Stronger blocking.
Blocking Prowess: A Silver Lining?
Interestingly, Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded Coleman as the 20th-best run blocker among 138 qualifying wide receivers.He was also asked to block on nearly 44% of his offensive snaps.This suggests that the Bills already trust his blocking abilities, likely due to his size advantage over other receivers.
Areas for Improvement: Receiving Game
Despite his blocking skills, Coleman acknowledges significant room for growth in his receiving game. let’s break down the key areas:
Earning and Converting Targets
Coleman needs to become a more reliable target for Josh Allen. He only ran 56% of the team’s possible routes and was targeted on just 17.6% of those routes. That rate ranked 71st out of 143 wide receivers leaguewide.
While his catchable target rate was 91.2%, he only caught 50.8% of the passes thrown his way, ranking 123rd among his peers.
Deep Ball Struggles
coleman’s deep-route target rate was promising, ranking 36th among wide receivers. Though, his ability to convert those targets into catches and yards was lacking. He caught just four of 17 passes thrown deep (20+ air yards), converting only 34.2% of air yards into receiving yards – far below the league average.
He also dropped three deep targets, resulting in a 16.7% drop rate, which ranked among the worst in the league.
Contested Catch Conundrum
Did You Know? The average NFL wide receiver is targeted on contested catches about 20% of the time. Coleman’s rate was double that, indicating a struggle to create separation.
Given his size (6-4, 215 pounds) and 4.61-second 40-yard dash time, Coleman needs to excel in contested-catch situations. Last season, he caught just six of 23 passes with less than 1 yard of separation – a 26.1% catch rate. More than 40% of his targets were contested, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Metric | Coleman’s 2024 Stats | League Rank (Among WRs) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Rate | 17.6% | 71st |
| catch Rate | 50.8% | 123rd |
| Deep Target catch Rate | 23.5% | N/A |
| Contested Catch Rate | 26.1% | 62nd |
The Evolution of NFL Wide Receivers
The modern NFL demands versatility from its wide receivers. It’s no longer enough to be just a deep threat or a possession receiver. players like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase excel at all aspects of the position, making them invaluable assets to their teams. coleman’s self-awareness and commitment to improvement are crucial for his development in this evolving landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keon Coleman
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