Two games is a small sample size, but that’s not holding us back from an early look at the rookie receiver class
Heading into the 2024 NFL draft, it was pretty well assumed that the Buffalo Bills were going to spend their first pick on a wide receiver. The only thing that had to be answered was which one? As we know now, Keon Coleman ended up being the answer after the team traded out of the first round and selected him with the first pick of Round 2. Now, everyone waits impatiently to find out whether the Bills got it right in selecting Coleman.
Through two weeks of the regular season we have seen great potential in Coleman’s play. In Week 1 he had four catches for 51 yards, including a huge contested catch down the sidelines to keep the chains moving. However, Coleman followed that up in Week 2 without a catch on only one target.
Despite last week’s goose egg, Coleman is showing his versatility, and he currently leads Buffalo’s receiving room in snaps. This means that he has a big role as a blocker in the rushing attack. So while we’ve seen early flashes and growing pains from Coleman, how are the other rookie receivers adapting to life in the NFL?
The Bills were able to shut down fourth-overall pick Marvin Harrison, Jr. in Week 1. Against Buffalo, Harrison had one catch for four yards — but man, did he show his stuff in Week 2. Harrison had four catches, all in the first quarter, for 130 yards and two touchdowns against the secondary of the Los Angeles Rams.
Malik Nabers leads all rookie receivers with 15 catches through two games, going for 193 yards and a touchdown. Ten of those catches came against the Washington Commanders, but he was unable to reel in a catch that would have changed the game.
A pre-draft favorite for many in Bills Mafia and analysts alike in trade-up scenarios was Rome Odunze. It’s safe to say he’s still trying to find his rhythm with the Chicago Bears. Odunze only has three catches thus far and has also been dealing with some nagging injuries.
Another favorite during draft season was Brian Thomas, Jr. He and the Jacksonville Jaguars are heading to Orchard Park, NY for a Monday Night Football showdown in Week 3. Thomas has six catches on the year with one touchdown. Jaguars fans are already barking about wanting the team to feature Thomas more in the offense.
You might have heard that the Bills traded out of their original pick with the Kansas City Chiefs who then drafted Xavier Worthy. When the Chiefs’ kicked off Week 1, everyone went crazy because Worthy scored a touchdown on a reverse and then followed it up with touchdown on a blown coverage. However, Worthy came back to earth in Week 2 with a couple of catches and a five-yard rush.
The last receiver drafted before Keon Coleman was Xavier Legette, who went to the Carolina Panthers. Much like Coleman, Legette had four catches in Week 1, but was held without a catch and no targets in Week 2.
It’s admittedly early, but also fun to explore just how each rookie wide receiver has fared early on in the 2024 season. Considering his play and the results from his peers, how would you rate Keon Coleman’s contributions so far?