NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys Select CeeDee Lamb 'Running Mate' Keon Coleman
The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best offenses in football in Mike McCarthy's first season calling the shots in the "Texas Coast Offense."
The poor playoff loss no doubt takes some of the shine off of what was another productive regular season that saw Dallas end with a 12-5 record and the highest-scoring offense in football (29.9 points per).
But moving forward, there are a couple of positions that need addressing. One is running back and the other, for ESPN, is at receiver. With Michael Gallup looming as a post-June 1 cut, Florida State's Keon Coleman sees his name called in the first round.
"Though Brandin Cooks made a big impact as the 2023 season progressed, Dallas has needed a running mate for CeeDee Lamb since trading Amari Cooper," ESPN writes. "Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver, had 11 touchdowns on just 50 catches in his lone season at Florida State following his transfer from Michigan State. He needs help separating at times, but facing the opposing team's CB2 would be light work given his size, catch radius and toughness running through contact."
The Cowboys aren't the most physical football team, and on offense, after getting bullied by the Green Bay Packers - Coleman would take the fight to the opposition.
While his 658 receiving yards on 50 receptions in 12 games doesn't jump off the stat sheet, what does is his 11 touchdowns.
Using his hulking frame, Coleman has a big physical presence on the field, something that the Cowboys could need. Coleman has superb acceleration given his size and his catching ability is second to none, especially with his body control and vice-like strength when the football comes his way (see his first-quarter catch against Syracuse this season)
He also is good after the catch, using his speed and size to overpower defenders, not to mention his superb agility to hurdle over defenders. Given McCarthy's want to get the ball out quick to his skill position players and allowing them to work in open space, Coleman could be a dangerous weapon.
The Cowboys have needs on their roster and while some have looked to the offensive line and linebacker as serious areas in need of fortifying, Dallas could grab Coleman as Gallup's replacement.
Coleman has the size, speed, and ability to be a viable option in the passing game and with Lamb and Brandin Cooks the "speedy" receivers on offense, Coleman could be the muscle.
