2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Corey Coleman

Corey Coleman, 5-10/194 Wide Receiver Baylor

Corey Coleman Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Deep-threat receiver

Second-gear speed

Can dominate receivers

Runs four routes well

Quickness

Adjusts well to the ball

Good feet

Forces teams to keep a safety deep

Quick in and out of breaks

Stretches a defense vertically

Quick release off of the line

Can separate late

Nose for the end zone

Ready to contribute immediately

Weaknesses:

Poor hands

Drops a significant amount of passes

Limited route experience from college

Not as sudden or explosive as made out to be

Quicker than fast

Decent run-after-the-catch skills, but not special

Product of a college system

Summary: Since Art Briles took over the Baylor program, the Bears have had a point-machine offense that has produced some quality skill position talent for the NFL. This year, Coleman is the program's top prospect as he had back to back big seasons.

Coleman wasn't the featured receiver in 2013, but he recorded 35 catches for 527 yards with two scores while playing in a complementary role. A year later though, Coleman became the lead receiver for the Bears' offense and totaled 1,119 yards on 64 receptions with 11 touchdowns. For 2015, Coleman dominated some weaker competition in the beginning of the year. That led to him setting Baylor's record for touchdown receptions with 20. He caught 74 passes for 1,363 yards on the season - along with those 20 scores.

For the NFL, Coleman is a speed receiver to challenge teams vertically. He has the quickness to get open and take the top off of defenses. Coleman would make for a dangerous slot receiver who would work really well with a big receiver on the outside. Against weaker cornerbacks, Coleman could demand some safety help over the top to prevent big plays. He has a nose for the end zone and is dangerous to take receptions to the house.

In speaking with sources, they see some issues that Coleman needs to work on as he gains experience. They say that while he is quick, he is not all that sudden or explosive for the next level. They feel that his runs after the catch were good for college football, but they suspect that it won't be as good in the NFL. A big issue that some team sources see with Coleman is his route-running and lack of development. At Baylor, Coleman only ran four routes: a hitch, a slant, a post and a go. Thus, he will need to learn more routes for the NFL. Team sources also say that Coleman drops a lot of balls. Thus, he is more of a developmental project than is commonly thought.

In the 2016 NFL Draft, Coleman could go as high as the back half of the first round to early in the second round.

Player Comparison: Kendall Wright. Wright is a talented receiver who hasn't gotten off the ground in the NFL because of issues around him. Perhaps that will change in 2016 with Marcus Mariota in his second season. Coleman is virtually identical in size to Wright (5-11, 190), and both were prolific receivers at Baylor. Wright is a more special athlete than Coleman as Wright is faster, more explosive, more sudden, and much better after the catch. Coleman is similar to Wright, just lacking in those categories. However, Coleman might have a more productive career if he lands with a good team and quarterback. Wright was a selection in the back half of the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and Coleman could go in that range.

NFL Matches: Atlanta, Houston, Minnesota, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Carolina, Cleveland and Baltimore

There a lot of teams in the market for an upgrade at wide receiver. Atlanta has to find a replacement for Roddy White, and Coleman would give the Falcons a vertical receiver across from Julio Jones.

Coleman could be in play for the Texans at pick No. 22. Houston needs more explosiveness for its offense, and Coleman could be a nice weapon to pair with DeAndre Hopkins. Minnesota also could use more receiving threats to help Teddy Bridgewater and Mike Wallace was let go. Coleman and Stefon Diggs would give the Vikings two speed receivers.

Kansas City could use more weapons to go with Jeremy Maclin. Coleman could give the team a trio with Chris Conley. Cincinnati lost Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency, so the organization could target Coleman as a potential replacement in the first round.

Carolina needs more receiving talent for Cam Newton, and Coleman could give the Panthers a speed receiver to go with the big wideouts they've drafted the previous two years.

At the top of the second round, the Browns are desperate for play-makers, and Coleman could be a nice addition for Hue Jackson to replace Travis Benjamin. In Baltimore, Coleman would be a natural replacement for Steve Smith.






RELATED LINKS:


2016 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's


2016 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


2016 NFL Draft Scouting Reports