ORCHARD PARK — Former NFL receiver Steve Smith Sr. had a lot of opinions about Keon Coleman. But Coleman didn’t have much to say in response.
After Coleman’s eight-catch, 112-yard season-opening performance against the Baltimore Ravens, Smith praised the Buffalo Bills’ 2024 second-round pick but wanted to see him perform at that level consistently.
But in the six games since, Coleman hasn’t made more than four receptions in a game and hasn’t totaled more than 45 yards in a game, with just one touchdown to boot. And despite running fades on 35% of his routes, Coleman is averaging just 9.9 yards per catch.
“Can’t get separation, can’t get off the jam, doesn’t have it,” Smith said on his podcast with James Palmer, 89. “You can’t teach a dog how to bark. You either got it or you don’t.”
Smith went on to say that Coleman isn’t playing with confidence, isn’t a No. 1 receiver and that he would be best suited to play in the slot. But the Bills already have a multitude of those players, including Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid.
What the Bills don’t have, besides Coleman, is an X receiver. That’s usually the position of a team’s No. 1 receiving option, who plays on the line of scrimmage and has the size to fight off press coverage.
The Bills have played Coleman more than any other receiver and he’s second on the team in targets (39), two behind Shakir’s 41. But the production hasn’t matched and quarterback Josh Allen has frequently looked in Coleman’s direction and quickly moved to another receiver.
Coleman averages 2.8 yards of separation, which ranks 11th on the team according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He’s also caught just four of 10 contested catch opportunities this season, which was supposed to be one of his specialties.
“He’s been put in a position that’s unfair to him,” Smith said. “Because what he brings to the table as a collegiate athlete was good. But people assume that what they did on Saturdays was going to automatically translate to doing that exact same thing in the pros. … It takes time. … But maybe he ain’t the one.”
Coleman wasn’t quite as loquacious Thursday after practice, saying “No comment. Next question.”
Coleman also said that he didn’t know what Smith said, but he did post four laughing emojis on his X account Wednesday night, the first time he’s posted since Sept. 10. Coleman was also suspended for the first drive against the New England Patriots for a team-related issue, the second time that’s happened during his short career.
“When the pass game is really needed, we’re going to do what we need to do and capitalize,” Coleman said.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady lauded Coleman Monday for his blocking efforts. It was also the same press conference Brady said he had “no concerns” about Buffalo’s passing offense.
The start of this season is a continuation of Coleman’s sluggish finish to last season after missing four games with a cracked bone in his wrist. But before the injury, Coleman showed playmaking ability that hasn’t been apparent this year.
He averaged 19.2 yards per catch, 11.8 yards before the catch and 7.4 afterwards. Now Coleman’s down to 8.3 before his catches and 1.6 afterwards.
“You always want to get guys involved, but you don’t want to force throws just to force throws,” Brady said. “I think Keon is doing a much better job with his intention to detail and focus in the run game. … I want to get him going more in the pass game. I thought he’d have good opportunities in the Atlanta game, but some of those just didn’t end up occurring.”