Mel Kiper Jr. predicts early second round for Keon Coleman

The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in less than three weeks with prospects around the country hoping to hear their name called in one of the seven rounds. Florida State standout Keon Coleman is among that contingent of draft hopefuls, and though there’s a chance he could be a day-one take, Mel Kiper Jr. explained this week why he believes the wideout will likely go in the early second-round selections.

In Field Yates’ latest mock draft, Coleman heads to the Washington Commanders in their first year under Dan Quinn. Kiper liked that fit for the former Michigan State contributor as Washington has pick No. 40, which is still early second round.

“You look at past drafts, there are guys that were steals where they went, teams will take as a chance and draft a little higher, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. But I think early second round for Keon Coleman,” Kiper said. “Some still think he could go in the first, but again, there’s mixed opinion there. My attitude is that if he’s a good football player, and he is, then you just take him. If he ran 4.6, do you take him in the first? I was told, going into that Combine, that if he ran that, he’d be a second-round pick.

“If that’s your intel, then that’s what you go with. He’ll be a good test case. As fifth-round pick Puka Nacua was.”

Coleman’s Combine testing solidifies draft stock

The reaction around Coleman’s Combine performance was a bit of a mixed bag primarily because of his 40-yard dash time of 4.6 seconds. However, he clocked one of the fastest speeds recorded during the gauntlet drill, clocking in at just over 20 mph. He also posted a 38-inch vertical leap and 10 feet, 7-inches in the broad jump. The broad jump put him in the 84th percentile and the vertical leap put him in the 80th percentile.

Prior to his transfer to Florida State, Coleman had 65 catches for 848 yards and eight touchdowns in 22 appearances for Michigan State. His 2023 season at FSU led him to declare for the draft as he posted a career-high 11 touchdowns with 50 receptions and 658 yards. He helped the Seminoles win out in ACC play, though they were denied a chance to compete for the CFP title.