The Buffalo Bills are making a push toward playoff positioning, but they’ll be doing it today without one of their more intriguing young weapons. Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, a former standout at Florida State, is listed as inactive for the third time this season as the Bills prepare to face the Cleveland Browns.
Coleman entered the league with plenty of buzz. Drafted to be a dynamic piece in a Josh Allen-led offense, the former Seminole came in with size, athleticism, and red-zone upside that had Bills fans excited about his potential. But as the regular season winds down, Coleman’s role has been inconsistent - and his absence today is another bump in what’s been a stop-and-start rookie campaign.
Through the season so far, Coleman has posted 36 catches for 355 yards and four touchdowns. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, they speak to a player who’s contributed when called upon. Still, last week against the Patriots, he didn’t record a single reception - a quiet outing that now precedes another inactive designation.
This isn’t about a lack of talent. Coleman flashed plenty of that during his time in Tallahassee.
Even in a 2023 season that didn’t fully meet expectations, he still hauled in 50 passes for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. The tools are there - strong hands, physicality at the catch point, and a knack for making plays in traffic.
But transitioning to the NFL is rarely seamless, especially in a Buffalo offense that leans heavily on its tight ends and requires precise timing with its quarterback.
Right now, the Bills are leaning on Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox to carry much of the receiving load behind Stefon Diggs. And while Coleman currently ranks third on the team in receiving yards, his usage has fluctuated.
With Buffalo eyeing a top playoff seed - and with the Chiefs surprisingly out of the postseason picture - every game down the stretch matters. And Coleman’s availability, or lack thereof, could factor into how the Bills structure their offense moving forward.
Today’s matchup against the Browns, one of the league’s bottom-tier teams, is one Buffalo can’t afford to overlook. Even against a struggling opponent, playoff football demands focus - and depth.
If the Bills are going to make a deep run, they’ll likely need Coleman’s size and skill set to make an impact at some point. For now, though, he’ll be watching from the sidelines, as his rookie season continues to be a mix of flashes and frustration.