NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/3)
Alex Christenson
Last Updated: 1/2/2024
Keon Coleman transferred to Florida State in hopes of improving his draft stock and notoriety, and he did just that. He set a career-high with 11 touchdowns despite having fewer receptions and yards than 2022, all while playing alongside classmate Johnny Wilson.
Coleman possesses a lengthy frame standing 6-foot-4, 210 pounds but doesn’t move like most 6-foot-4 players. Coleman’s best trait may be his ability to create with the ball in his hands, he returned 25 punts for the Seminoles this year and averaged 12 yards per return. He has loose and flexible hips that allow him to navigate traffic easily with fluidity. Pairing this with his vision and quickness makes him a tough tackle in space en route to a plethora of yards after the catch. It is not often we see him juke someone out of their shoes, but he will hurdle you if you’re not careful. His lack of lateral suddenness also appears in his routes as well, as more of a fluid mover he relies on less complex routes to create separation leaning on his fluidity and acceleration. On the flip side, he knows when and how to settle into zone coverages and tracks the ball well downfield. In scramble drills, he shows creativity while working upfield and making himself available for the quarterback. We haven’t seen an expansive release package from him yet and often leans on his quickness and speed to stack defenders.
Despite not creating a ton of separation, Coleman is almost always open due to his tremendous ability at the catch point. He is not the strongest player but plays with physicality and fights through contact well using his long frame to box out defenders. In addition, his late hands help disguise the ball until it’s too late for the defenders. Even though he has demonstrated an ability to make circus catches I wouldn’t say he has the most reliable hands. There are quite a few instances of defenders knocking the ball loose or it popping free while going to the ground during the process of the catch. We have also seen a few instances of him putting the ball on the turf while trying to create after the catch.
- Creative after the catch
- Circus-type catch ability
- Quickness
- Lacks refined routes
- Breakaway speed
- Third-team All-Big Ten (2022)
- Semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award (2023)
- 40-yard dash: 4.61s
- 10-yard split: 1.54s
- Vertical: 38″
- Broad Jump: 10’7″
- Three-cone: TBD
- Shuttle: TBD
- Bench: TBD
- X receiver
Keon Coleman’s ceiling is immense when it comes to fantasy. His ability to create after the catch paired with his contested catch ability is a rare combination. Coleman will be best operating as an X receiver operating on the perimeter helping an offense to stretch the field, but his ability in the screen game will allow him to also produce on the high percentage throws. In addition, his after-the-catch ability allows him to take any catch to the house, making him a big play waiting to happen.
