The Kansas City Chiefs seem intent on giving Patrick Mahomes’ supporting cast a substantial upgrade this offseason, and general manager Brett Veach might not be done even after signing Hollywood Brown.
The receiving corps around Mahomes has come into focus after a wildly inconsistent season that was marred by dropping a league-high 44 passes during Kansas City’s run to a second consecutive Super Bowl victory.
In CBS Sports’ latest NFL Mock Draft, Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs add another weapon into Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal by selecting Keon Coleman, out of Florida State, with the No. 32 overall selection.
“Yes, Coleman ran a 4.61 at the combine but I do not care,” Ryan Wilson writes. “At all. He also hit more than 20 mph in the gauntlet drill and didn’t drop a pass. We talk about the importance of game speed all the time and the only more obvious example might be Puka Nacua, who ran a 4.57 at the 2023 combine only to have a record-setting rookie campaign for the Rams. In KC he can be eased into the offense alongside Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown”
Keon Coleman, Kansas City Chiefs
Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) avoids a tackle by Syracuse Orange linebacker Kadin Bailey (45) during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. (Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports)
Keon Coleman Scouting Report
Keon Coleman fits the profile of a Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver in a lot of ways.
At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, Coleman has the ideal size to be a major weapon in the red zone, but also has plenty of speed to stretch the field, opposite Brown.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein believes Coleman compares favorably to former Atlanta Falcons first-round pick, Drake London.
“Above-the-rim artist with circus catches resembling a scene from the tents of Cirque du Soleil,” Zierlein writes. “Coleman has excellent size and ball skills. He’s not sudden and doesn’t have great speed, so beating press and creating breathing room against tight man coverages will depend on his ability to improve as a route-runner. The former star basketball player has a rebounder’s blend of extension and timing to give jump-ball defenders the blues.
“He’s big and strong with soft hands, but he can play with a little more aggression in claiming his deep-ball space and getting after it as a run blocker. Coleman might lack the athletic traits to be a well-rounded WR2. Instead, keep an eye on him as a big slot receiver who can be a red-zone specialist.”
Kansas City Chiefs
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
How Keon Coleman Helps Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs’ latest Super Bowl run was largely on the back of Steve Spagnuolo’s dominant defense, with Patrick Mahomes rising to the occasion in the biggest moments of the Super Bowl victory over San Francisco.
However, after signing Hollywood Brown, drafting Coleman would represent a return to an explosive-offense-led charge at a third consecutive Lombardi.
NFL defensive coordinators would certainly be kept awake the night before games by the prospects of slowing an offense that includes Patrick Mahomes, Hollywood Brown, Travis Kelce, and Keon Coleman.
Pro Football Focus points out that Coleman posted 80 yards on screen passes last season, showing he can make plays after the catch in the short passing game — some of the bread and butter of Andy Reid‘s system. Meanwhile, Coleman’s eight deep receptions for 257 yards showcase his explosiveness.
After catching 50 passes, with a 12.4 average depth of target, for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns, it’s easy to see Coleman as an ideal fit in the Chiefs‘ offense and Mahomes‘ supporting cast.
