With targets plentiful and a capable quarterback at the controls, it's a nearly ideal situation for Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.
The 21-year-old Coleman joins a receiving corps that includes only Khalil Shakir, the only player to have caught a pass from field general Josh Allen in an NFL regular-season game. With the departures of WR1 Stefon Diggs and WR2 Gabe Davis this offseason, Coleman will immediately be competing for a share of the 241 targets lost to those two former Bills players last year.
With the potential to earn significant playing time, Coleman is naturally one of the more promising rookies in fantasy football. Sports Illustrated Fantasy guru Michael Fabiano ranked the “Top 10 rookies to target” and had Coleman ranked No. 8 overall, one spot above Rome Odunze, who was selected by the Chicago Bears.
Coleman, drafted No. 33 overall, is one of six first-year wide receivers on the list. Two quarterbacks, one running back and one tight end round out the group, with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. topping the list and New York Giants wide receiver Malik Neighbors second overall.
from Top 10 rookies to target in the draft:
8. Keion Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
Coleman might not be the best wide receiver in the 2024 class, but he was certainly in one of the best situations. The Bills traded Stefon Diggs and lost Gabe Davis, leaving the offense with 241 targets. Coleman could soak up a lot of those and be a potential sleeper in fantasy. — Michael Fabiano
Related: Replacing Diggs with Coleman has been called the Bills' “best move of the offseason.”
Coleman led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 11 touchdown receptions in 2023. At the very least, he figures to be a downfield threat with good contested-catch ability for Allen and company. He likely still has some development to do before he can become an every-down receiver, especially in the areas of run-blocking and digesting the NFL's expansive offensive playbook.
The 746 yards and seven touchdowns that Davis recorded last year seem like realistic goals for Coleman in 2024.
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