[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman has gotten off to a decent start in his rookie season in Buffalo.
The second-round pick by the club in the 2024 NFL Draft has 12 receptions on 20 targets for 201 yards with two touchdowns through six games. He’s also been third on the team in targets and yards receiving after Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid.
He also gained a new teammate who could further open up opportunities for him and potentially help his development as well.
In a trade with the Cleveland Browns, the Bills acquired seven-time 1,000-yard wide receiver and five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper this past Tuesday.
When asked about the newest Bills receiver, Coleman was happy to have a player of Cooper’s experience and ability around.
“I mean, it’s Amari Cooper,” Coleman said to the media on Thursday. “Great receiver, produced in the league for a long time. Get to learn from him and watch him work every day.”
He also gave a funny analogy to describe the big trade addition.
“Same thing like adding another person with more money in your household,” the rookie added. “Help you pay everything, help everything out. Help everybody else get open and just bring more thrill to the offense.”
Coleman has gotten some more looks in the passing game as of late, in part, due to scarcity.
The Bills have not yet replaced the receiving threat or target productivity of former WR1 Stefon Diggs. Though they have spread the ball out across more receivers, Coleman and other targeted players have had difficulty getting separation and open looks the way they did when opposing defenses double-teamed Diggs.
The addition of Cooper can open things up more for Coleman and company, and the young receiver might even see some time on the other side of the ball as well should a play call for it.
QB Aaron Rodgers’ successful hail mary at the end of the first half during last week’s Monday Night Football showdown with the Jets was one the Bills were unsuccessful in defending, allowing a scoring play.
And, more famously, the team also failed to bat down a 2020 Kyler Murray to DeAndre Hopkins play dubbed the “Hail Murray” which won that game for the Arizona Cardinals.
Due to the difficulties that Buffalo has had defending these deep scoring plays, Coleman’s athleticism, jump ball abilities, and basketball background could come in handy.
And according to Sean McDermott via WROC, there is a possibility the Bills could use Coleman as part of the secondary in coverage for future Hail Mary attempts to bat down passes.
Only time will tell.