In the ever-evolving world of the NFL, a few players hold the key to how a season might unfold, and Keon Coleman is undeniably one of those pivotal figures heading into 2025. For the Buffalo Bills, snagging Coleman with the 33rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after trading out of the first round was a strategic move with potential high returns. This choice has forever linked him with Xavier Worthy, whom the Chiefs selected after the Bills’ trade, adding an extra layer of intrigue as both join two AFC powerhouses.
Worthy burst onto the scene during his rookie season, leading all Chiefs receivers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns—a tough act to follow. Meanwhile, Coleman’s first year was quieter, though not without flashes of brilliance.
He caught 29 passes and averaged an impressive 19.2 yards per reception, scoring four touchdowns. However, his influence waned during the postseason, where he managed just 22 yards from 8 targets.
A wrist injury sidelined Coleman for four games, contributing to his subdued performance over the final stretch of the season. Despite these challenges, his youthful age—he’s turning just 22 this month—offers a ray of hope. The Bills clearly see untapped potential in him, but as their Super Bowl window stands wide open, there’s an urgency for him to mature quickly into the reliable outside threat they need.
Heading into Year 2, expectations are high for Coleman. Does he have what it takes to rise to the occasion in 2025?
Adding some expert insight, Ben Solak from ESPN paints a picture of a player with tremendous promise. He describes Coleman as a “big-bodied, contested-catch expert,” highlighting his knack for winning plays against man coverage.
Despite his physical playstyle, Coleman has shown glimpses of agility and after-the-catch capabilities that suggest he might not just be a one-dimensional player.
With Mack Hollins moving on in free agency, the spotlight on Coleman intensifies. The Bills desperately need him to fill the void and stretch defenses vertically.
Without him stepping up, pressure mounts on other players like Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid to carry the offensive load. While it might be a stretch to say Coleman’s growth dictates the Bills’ Super Bowl odds, it certainly feels close to reality.
How Coleman develops this season will be a key indicator of the Bills’ potential success this year. Here’s to hoping he rises to the challenge and becomes the breakout star the Buffalo Bills are banking on.