Why the Detroit Lions should draft Keon Coleman

After heavily focusing on the defense in my earlier articles, it’s time to flip the script and take a look at the offensive options again. Outside of the offensive line, the biggest need for the Detroit Lions on offense is at wide receiver. The Lions already have wide receivers Amon Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, along with Kalif Raymond and Donovan Peoples-Jones, but the team could use some additional depth after losing Josh Reynolds in free agency.

Enter Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman

Coleman transferred to Florida State after two years at Michigan State. While he only had one season at Florida State, he made his presence known in the ACC.

Let’s discuss why I think the Detroit Lions should draft Keon Coleman in the 2024 NFL Draft and give the offense another weapon to give defenses headaches defending.

Previously:

• Why the Lions should draft Zak Zinter
• Why the Lions should draft Mike Sainristil
• Why the Lions should draft Chop Robinson
• Why the Lions should draft Darius Robinson
• Why the Lions should draft Cooper DeJean
• Why the Lions should draft Kool-Aid McKinstry

Collegiate History

After appearing in 10 games during his freshman year in 2021, getting only seven catches for 50 yards and a touchdown, Coleman stood out as a starter in 2022 where he blew up for Michigan State. He had 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns with a 76.1 offensive grade according to PFF, and he would named third-team All-Big Ten team.

At Florida State, his impact on the roster increased. While he would see a dip in yards, and catches, he found the endzone more, finishing with 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2023, Coleman began returning punts, as he took 25 returns for 300 yards. He would also finish on the first All-ACC team, as the Seminoles would finish the regular season 13-0 and ACC champions but were robbed of appearing in the College Football Playoff.

Players strengths

Coleman uses his height (6-foot-4) to his advantage, elevating above defenders to make contested catches. Also in his career, Coleman only had five drops in the 34 games he played in.

Coleman showed some versatility in his game at Florida State, playing a career-high snaps in the slot with 119 (29.5% of the time). He played 280 snaps, (69.3%( out wide. Having someone who can play in the slot gives the offense some wrinkles, would help the Lions move St. Brown all around, and can give Williams space outside with his speed.

Here you can see Coleman play both the outside and inside. While he isn’t the fastest guy on the field, running a 4.61 at the NFL Combine, Coleman still finds way to create separation. He occasionally uses his size to overpower corners. And while his route running still needs to work, there’s an intelligence to his game in knowing where his leverage, aiding him in creating space.

Again, you can see the manipulation above. When he is able to trick a defender, he makes them pay.

Coleman is also a YAC threat, being able to make players miss after catching the ball. He’s a big-play threat every time the ball is in his hands, because his size makes him a tough player to bring down.

His physicality, in my opinion, will win over the Lions. He isn’t afraid to rough up a cornerback and do what he can to get open. He will have to be careful to not be too aggressive when running routes, but it’s going to be hard for defenders to try and fight that if they aren’t prepared. While his run blocking isn’t his strong suit, with the right coaches in Detroit, he already has the physical tools to improve there.

How Does Player Fit?

The Lions are in need of some help at the wide receiver position, specifically a big-body type of receiver who has a great catch radius and isn't afraid to jump up for it as well. While St. Brown and Williams are helpful, quick, and fast, they don’t have the height Coleman has. The X receiver spot right now would be held by Peoples-Jones, who is listed as 6-foot-2. At 6-foot-4, Coleman would step in and immediately be the tallest wide receiver on the team.

Adding Coleman would also help Detroit’s depth. The Lions have just four wide receivers on their roster with starting experience. Sliding a guy like Peoples-Jones down to a reserve role makes the team better served to handle injury.

If Coleman gets selected by Detroit, he has a chance to have an instant impact on the roster. Not only will he bring a unique skillset to the receiver room, but with his punt return experience, he could also be in play for Detroit’s kick returner role, given the new rules.

Coleman may not be an instant starter. As with any rookie he would have to show his worth in training camp and preseason to earn the wide receiver three spot. But it wouldn’t take long for him to make an impact.