Case For Corey Coleman At 9th Overall

It has been awhile since the Buccaneers have had a freak athlete on offense, last one was probably Joey Galloway and he was on the downside of his career. Well that could change this year if the Bucs decide to take Baylor receiver Corey Coleman with their first pick. At first I had Coleman as a potential second round pick but after more research, he is definitely a top 20 talent. Coleman has outstanding measurables with decent size at 5'11 194lbs, but has off the charts explosion with a 4.37 40 and 41 inch vertical which jumps on film. Coleman has the work ethic and drive to be one of the best receivers in the game, and is determined to be the best receiver in this draft class per Max Olson.

“It’s important for me to be the best receiver,” Coleman said.

Coleman can do it all as he can play outside, inside, return kicks, and his coach Art Briles feels he should be the first receiver taken with no questions asked.

“Of course I do. Yeah, that’s an easy answer,” Briles said. “You look at production on the field over a three-year period. We’re not talking 18 months; we’re talking three years. His production has been pretty much unmatched over the last three years.”

Cant argue there, Coleman's production was outstanding especially in 2015 where he had over 1,300 yds and 20 tds. However, criticism is still thrown his way as critics say he's the product of the Baylor system and Coleman doesn't run NFL routes, well Coleman had a answer for that.

“I explained it to them. I think I did a pretty good job,” he said. “I learned everything I need to learn. If you’re a receiver and you don’t know how to run routes at this level, I don’t know what to tell you. I think I proved to them that I can run NFL routes.”

History shows Baylor receivers haven't had great success in the NFL, but there have been a few that have done pretty good in Kendall Wright and Terrence Williams. Wright put up great numbers in 2013, has just struggled with staying on the field due to injuries. The big difference with those two and Coleman is athleticism as Coleman is just far superior in every way. Coleman has the competitive fire and determination to be great which is the right mindset teams look for in players.

“He’s a very determined-minded young man, which is pretty uncommon today, unfortunately,” Briles said. “He had a goal, he had a plan and he knew how to follow through with discipline on and off the field. That’s why he’s where he’s at today.”

If the Bucs feel Coleman is the best available and select him, I wouldn't have one issue with it. He will provide explosiveness, down field speed, versatility, and would be an excellent compliment to Mike Evans. Coleman will make opposing defenses nervous, especially if paired up with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, the Bucs offense would be scary good. As I have said before build your strengths to hide your weaknesses and the Bucs offense would be pretty strong. More fire power for Jameis Winston is always a good thing, and yes the Bucs need defense but this is a deep defensive draft. Coleman is a rare athlete who can change the game with one play which I can't recall the last time the Bucs had a player like that. Not saying he will be the pick at 9th overall, but the Bucs could do a lot worse than Corey Coleman.