Colts Target FSU Playmaker in Latest NFL Mock Draft
The Indianapolis Colts are in the thick of a playoff race in the AFC South. With just-two games left to go in the regular season, the Colts could find themselves as division champs, wild-card participants, or on the outside looking in.
Earlier this week, Bleacher Report (B/R) determined wide receiver was the biggest need for the Colts, and they suggested raiding the Miami Dolphins practice squad for speedy wide receiver Anthony Schwartz to help right away.
Looking a little farther ahead, Yahoo's Nate Tice seems to agree with B/R that wide receiver is a short and long-term need. He has the Colts taking Florida State big-play receiver Keon Coleman with the 20th overall pick in his latest NFL mock draft.
To no one's surprise, Coleman officially declared for the draft earlier this week.
"Coleman is a long and twitchy X wide receiver who has some of the highest of highlights in college football this year," wrote Tice on Yahoo. "His basketball background constantly shows up in his play, with his excellent catching range and hands allowing him to snatch throws well away from his body."
He had 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns with Florida State this season.
"Coleman is going to be a red zone weapon right away in the NFL, with the body control and athleticism to continue to develop his route tree on the outside," Tice continued. "No matter what happens with Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason, Coleman will fit in nicely with Josh Downs and long-speed specialist Alec Pierce. But also, just stop for a second and imagine Anthony Richardson launching go-balls and back-shoulder throws to Coleman."
This isn't the first time Coleman has been linked to the Colts by one of the big-media outlets. ESPN's Jordan Reid mocked Coleman to the Colts in his first effort back in October.
The Colts were 3-4 at the time, and their fortunes have taken a turn for the better. The fit for Coleman and the Colts remain the same.
"One of the biggest beneficiaries of the transfer portal, Coleman has exploded since transferring from Michigan State to Florida State," wrote Reid on ESPN+. "At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he has the ability to make a wide array of catches. Since the beginning of last season, Coleman leads the FBS in contested touchdown catches (10)."
Indianapolis will be in the market for defensive backs as well as offensive weapons. However, surrounding Richardson with another big-play receiver might be too big a temptation for the Colts to pass over.
